Drew Brees didn't necessarily have a rival in his professional career. The New Orleans Saints dominated the Atlanta Falcons too much for Matt Ryan to qualify, and he didn't play Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers to have a rivalry with them. If there was one player that felt rival-like, it was Luke Kuechly, and that's why it was nearly poetic for he and Brees to enter the Hall of Fame together.
Naturally, Brees and Kuechly each referenced the other in their speeches on Saturday. The linebacker reflected on the frustrating chess matches the two legends used to have with a comment that's bound to get a laugh out of Saints fans.
During his speech, Kuechly spoke to directly to all of his fellow enshrinees, but his comments on Drew hit the hardest. "Drew, you're the best player that I ever played against. Your process, anticipation, that dang cadence that you have, I can still hear it, and it's something that I'll keep with me forever. Coach Payton is right next to him, and if I ever hear that song "Stand Up and Get Crunk," it ruins my mood. I can't stand it."
Drew Brees & Luke Kuechly had an epic rivalry
Calling Brees the best player he ever played against is the highest compliment Kuechly could have paid the quarterback.
The respect was certainly mutual. Brees said, “I was tired of going up against Luke twice a year, and having him sniff out every play and pick me off and make us look bad.”
It was never Brees vs Cam Newton highlighting these games. It was about who was going to get the best of who between Brees and Kuechly. The way Kuechly flew around the field meant no matter what the Saints tried to do, Kuechly would be an obstacle at all times.
Their battles against each other were legendary. For as great as Brees and Kuechly were, there could be an argument that their mental aptitude was their biggest strength. As the quarterback and the quarterback of the defense, the opponents attempted to out-strategize each other for years.
Brees may have finished with a winning record against the Panthers in that timeframe, but it was never going to be an easy challenge. Kuechly was often a thorn in the Saints side, and once finished with 24 tackles in a game versus New Orleans.
He may have been frustrating to play against, but even Saints fans had to respect Kuechly. Whether it was his battles with Brees or chasing after Kamara or dropping back in coverage, there felt like an unlimited amount of ways he could impact the play and an unlimited amount of ways he did impact the play.
Hearing Brees and Kuechly reference each other in their speech felt right, and going into the Hall of Fame together further tethered them forever.
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