Drew Brees nearly returned to Saints amid Week 16 QB crisis

If at first you don’t succeed, beg, beg again?

The New Orleans Saints tried to bring Drew Brees out of retirement once before, and he wouldn’t budge.

With Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian placed on the COVID-19 list, the Saints reportedly tried once more to drag the legendary quarterback back into the spotlight, this time for a Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Brees seriously considered the opportunity but ended up turning NOLA down — and who can blame him?

He’d be suiting up alongside Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, and Adam Trautman, a far cry from the elite receivers he’s used to working with.

Brees knows the Saints’ offensive scheme like the back of his hand (literally) but he seems content with staying inside his enclosed broadcast booth at NBC, well protected from angry defensive linemen.

There’s no sweet homecoming story for Brees written in New Orleans’ future — yet.

New Orleans Saints’ legend Drew Brees almost came back to save the day in Week 16

According to reporter Jeff Duncan, the Saints made a series of calls after finding out their top two quarterbacks would be out against the Dolphins.

They called Josh McCown, brother of former Saints backup Luke McCown, who hasn’t played since 2019.

They called Philip Rivers, who retired in 2020 and is currently coaching high school football.

And they called Drew Brees, who no doubt was honored by the gesture but didn’t want to take the risk.

The 7-7 Saints are on the verge of making or crashing out of the playoffs, and with three games remaining, every matchup is a must-win.

Miami presents a very winnable game, and NOLA could use a heavy dose of Brees’ masterful experience and leadership on the field come Monday night.

Instead, it looks like the Saints will reluctantly go with rookie Ian Book, who will make his first career NFL start in Week 16.

Can’t say NOLA didn’t examine all their other options.

Those “Breesus Saves” T-shirts will have to stay in the closet for now. It’s Ian Book time.