Even without Drew Brees, Saints should be contenders in 2021

The New Orleans Saints may very well enter the 2021 season without Drew Brees, and even if they do, they should still be considered title contenders.

Next season, the New Orleans Saints may look like a completely different team. While much of the roster will be the same with Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas leading the way, their signal-caller, Drew Brees, may hang up the cleats.

Brees, now 42, is coming off a Divisional Round game in which he looked horrible, throwing three interceptions. One of the best quarterbacks of all time, Brees may not have much more in the gas tank, especially with a broadcasting deal ready for him when he calls it a career.

Assuming he’s done, the Saints will have options at quarterback. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill will both be a possibility internally for New Orleans, and if Winston re-signs, it could be a signal that he’s the main option for the franchise.

New Orleans could also aim for their incoming draft class to snag a quarterback that becomes the face of the franchise. Given they haven’t taken a quarterback in the draft since 2015, it’s doubtful that’s their move though.

Even without a future Hall of Famer behind center, this team has everything it takes to compete at the highest level. They have a solid defensive line led by Cam Jordan and an elite trio of defensive backs.

Their defense is among the league’s best and was one of just six to allow under 100 rushing yards per game. They have the defense to continue as a top-three NFC team, and they’ll have the offense as well with Thomas fully healthy at the start of next season.

The feel around Twitter and around those that love the franchise is that the disarray will set in without Brees, and for the players and leadership they have on both sides of the ball, that just doesn’t seem like it’ll be the case.

If Brees does retire, he’ll be missed. Tears that are both his and the fanbase that’s loved him for so long will be shed, but at the end of the day, this team has everything it takes to maintain their elite level in a challenging division.