Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who now works as a sports pundit, revealed his thought on the broadcasting job he’s taken since his retirement from the NFL.
It’s not unusual for retired players to continue their next chapters as sports analysts or podcasters on either television, radio or streaming platforms.
Brees shared his input during The Dan Patrick Show on Thursday and said that an NFL broadcaster has a grueling schedule. The 13-time Pro Bowler heard about Tom Brady’s plan on becoming a pundit and warned Brady that it “takes more time than (Brady) thinks.”
“I’m not sure exactly what Tom is signed up to do, I know what’s been announced,” Brees said, referencing Brady’s $375 million contract with Fox as an NFL analyst and a network ambassador. “But it is definitely a commitment, and it takes more time than you think. I definitely have a respect for the guys that are in those positions and the guys that really do it the right way, you know the preparation that goes into that.”
Brees noted that NFL analysts get the chance to do a lot of preparation in their own homes and in their own time, rather than being present at certain training sessions of a team or coach. He added that the schedule is grueling and it takes a commitment.
“If you’re gonna do it right, you’re gonna spend the same amount of preparation in preparing to broadcast the game, to do a three-hour production, as you would to play the game,” the former Super Bowl MVP said.
During the Thursday show, Brees also was asked if he intends to pursue a coaching career if Sean Payton offers him a position as an assistant. Brees did not sound as if he would join Payton’s staff or if the former NFL head coach would return to the sidelines.
He also opened up about his decision to leave the broadcast booth after one season because the booth took away all his weekends.
“Last year, I went the media route,” Brees said. “That was really enjoyable. I felt like I learned a lot…the reason I didn’t do that this year was simply because it was taking away all my weekends.”
Brees quickly moved to the broadcasting field after retiring from the Saints in 2021, hoping to be the next Tony Romo. Unfortunately, he did not impress as a broadcaster during his one season as a studio and game analyst for NBC, and he parted with the company.
Before going to the Saints in 2006, Brees played for the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers for four years. In his 19-year NFL career, he has completed 6,867 of 10,161 passes for 77,416 yards, 547 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 98.4. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leading passer, then was surpassed by Brady.
Brady transitions to broadcasting field
Brady temporarily retired following the 2021 season, but he decided to return for a third season with the Bucs. He is still performing well at the age of 45. He had 5,319 yards, 43 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 67.5 percent completion percentage last season.
He has signed a $375 million contract with Fox to work as the network’s lead analyst and ambassador. On May 10, 2022, Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch made the official announcement that the Tampa Bay quarterback will join as the network’s lead NFL analyst alongside Kevin Burkhardt if he decides to retire.
According to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, the deal between Fox and Brady is expected to pay him between $20 million and $25 million per year and could last longer than the standard five years.