Adam Schefter from ESPN raised eyebrows in the NFL community prior to the ‘Monday Night Football’ game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. He reported potential conversations between the Broncos and Drew Brees about a return ahead of their AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots last January.
The discussions could open the Broncos to scrutiny from the league. According to Schefter, then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael approached Brees about either starting for Denver or backing up Jarrett Stidham. Bo Nix had suffered an ankle injury in the Broncos’ victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk referred to Schefter’s claims as a ‘big, fat nothing burger’ due to certain league regulations. Retired players must return by Week 13 to be eligible, and Brees was on the Saints’ reserve-retired list.
If New Orleans released him to compete in the AFC championship, Brees would undergo waivers. Should Broncos members have contacted Brees without the Saints’ approval, it might lead to penalties due to tampering.
Florio added, ‘Even without a complaint from the Saints, the league might look into this based on Schefter’s report.’
Schefter indicated Sean Payton, the Broncos’ head coach, was uninformed about attempts to recruit Brees until the offseason. Payton might face issues arising from his staff’s actions last season.
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