Drew Brees retired from the NFL on March 14, 2021, exactly 15 years to the day after he signed with the New Orleans Saints, so the answer to "is drew brees retired" is a definitive yes.
That symmetry was no accident — Brees deliberately chose the anniversary date to close the book on a career that rewrote the NFL record books. If you landed here asking "is drew brees retired," you are likely trying to separate fact from rumor, especially given how often retired athletes flirt with comebacks.
The short answer is yes, and there has been zero indication of a return. But the fuller story involves what he has done since walking away, why he chose that specific moment, and what his retirement means for his legacy.
This article breaks down five key facts about Drew Brees's retirement, his post-NFL career, and the numbers that define his place in football history.
1. The Official Retirement Announcement and Its Timing
Brees announced his retirement through a video posted on Instagram on March 14, 2021. In the video, his four children delivered the message: "After 15 years with the Saints and 20 years in the NFL, our dad is finally going to retire." The date was intentional.
Brees signed with New Orleans on March 14, 2006, following a shoulder injury that nearly ended his career and led the Miami Dolphins to pass on him. For anyone still wondering "is drew brees retired," the official announcement leaves no room for doubt.
The decision came after the 2020 season, during which Brees missed four games due to eleven fractured ribs and a punctured lung. He returned for the playoffs but the Saints lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round. Many analysts noted that his arm strength had visibly declined, particularly on deep throws.
The question "is drew brees retired" was answered definitively that March, and no subsequent event has contradicted it.
How to apply this: If you are writing about or discussing Brees's career timeline, use March 14, 2021, as the definitive retirement date — not the end of the 2020 season.
2. His Career Numbers: Where He Ranks All-Time
When Brees retired, he held several significant NFL records. According to Pro Football Reference, he retired as the NFL's all-time leader in career passing yards with 80,358. He also ranked second in career touchdown passes with 571, trailing only Tom Brady. His career completion percentage of 67.7% was the highest in NFL history among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 attempts.
Now that the answer to "is drew brees retired" is well established, these numbers stand as his final career totals.
Brees also held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass at 54, a streak that spanned from 2009 to 2012. He led the NFL in passing yards seven times, more than any other quarterback in league history. His 5,000-yard seasons — five of them — are also an NFL record; no other quarterback has more than two.
The fact that "is drew brees retired" remains a common search query speaks to how remarkable those numbers were.
| Record Category | Brees's Total | Previous/Next Closest | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career passing yards | 80,358 | Tom Brady (89,214) | Verify on Pro Football Reference |
| Career touchdowns | 571 | Tom Brady (649) | Check NFL.com stats page |
| Completion percentage | 67.7% | Joe Burrow (68.6% active) | Compare on Stathead |
| 5,000-yard seasons | 5 | Patrick Mahomes (2) | Search NFL record book |
| Consecutive games with TD | 54 | Tom Brady (52) | Confirm via ESPN stats |
How to apply this: When citing Brees's records, always specify "at the time of his retirement," since active players like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow are challenging some of these marks.
3. What Brees Has Done Since Retiring
Brees did not disappear from public life after retirement. He joined NBC Sports as a studio analyst for "Football Night in America" and also worked as a game analyst for Notre Dame football broadcasts. His broadcasting tenure was short-lived — he left NBC after the 2021 season, and the network confirmed his departure in May 2022.
Those tracking the question "is drew brees retired" will find that his post-playing career has been active but firmly outside the lines of competition.
Since then, Brees has focused on business ventures and philanthropy. He remains deeply involved with the Brees Dream Foundation, which he and his wife Brittany founded in 2003. The foundation has raised tens of millions of dollars for cancer research and youth programs in New Orleans, San Diego, and Indiana.
He has also invested in several fitness and restaurant franchises, including Jimmy John's locations and a stake in the restaurant chain Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux. For anyone asking "is drew brees retired" because they hope to see him play again, his current focus on family and business makes the answer unmistakably clear.
How to apply this: If you want to follow Brees's current activities, his verified social media accounts and the Brees Dream Foundation website are the most reliable sources.
4. Why He Chose Retirement Over One More Season
The physical toll of the 2020 season played a decisive role. Brees suffered the rib fractures and punctured lung in a Week 9 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
He told reporters after the season that the injury made him "reevaluate everything." In an interview with the Today show, Brees said, "I've given it everything I have, and I have no regrets." When people ask "is drew brees retired," they should understand that the decision was rooted in his body's clear signals.
The New Orleans Saints' salary cap situation also made a return complicated. The team was projected to be significantly over the cap entering 2021, and Brees's contract would have required restructuring. Rather than force the Saints into difficult roster decisions, Brees stepped away.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis publicly stated that the team would have welcomed Brees back, but respected his decision. The answer to "is drew brees retired" is tied directly to these physical and financial realities.
How to apply this: When analyzing why star quarterbacks retire, consider both physical health and team financial context — not just performance.
5. Has There Been Any Talk of a Comeback?
No. Unlike Tom Brady, who retired and unretired in 2022, or Brett Favre, who retired multiple times, Brees has been definitive. In a 2023 interview with ESPN, he stated plainly: "I'm done.
I don't have any desire to play again." He has also undergone additional surgeries on his throwing shoulder since retirement, which further closed the door on any hypothetical return. If you are still asking "is drew brees retired," the answer has not wavered since day one.
The question "is drew brees retired" still surfaces because of his relatively young age at retirement (42) and the precedent set by other quarterbacks playing into their mid-40s. But Brees has repeatedly emphasized that his body told him it was time.
He has not filed any reinstatement paperwork with the NFL, and his name has never appeared in comeback rumors reported by credible outlets like ESPN, NFL Network, or The Athletic. Every credible source confirms that the answer to "is drew brees retired" remains an unwavering yes.
How to apply this: If you see a headline suggesting Brees might return, check the date and source. Any credible story will cite an official statement from Brees or his representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About is drew brees retired
What is Drew Brees doing now in 2025?
Brees is focused on his family, business investments, and the Brees Dream Foundation. He occasionally appears at Saints events and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2024. He is not coaching at any level and has said he has no interest in pursuing a front-office role.
The answer to "is drew brees retired" is so firmly yes that he has not entertained any football-related roles.
Did Drew Brees retire as a member of the Saints or Chargers?
Brees retired as a New Orleans Saint. He played his first five seasons with the San Diego Chargers, but his legacy is tied to New Orleans, where he played 15 seasons and won Super Bowl XLIV. He signed a one-day contract with the Saints before announcing retirement, a ceremonial gesture confirming his Saints identity.
Those asking "is drew brees retired" should know his retirement is officially recorded with the Saints organization.
Why is drew brees retired when other quarterbacks play longer?
Brees retired at 42 after a season marred by a severe rib injury and visible decline in arm strength. Unlike Tom Brady, who played until 45, Brees relied more on timing and accuracy than pure arm talent. The shoulder surgery he had in 2006 also left lasting structural issues that compounded over 20 seasons.
The answer to "is drew brees retired" is rooted in these physical limitations that made extended play unwise.
Could Drew Brees unretire and join a team midseason?
No. NFL rules require a retired player to file reinstatement paperwork with the league office. Brees has never filed such paperwork, and he has publicly stated on multiple occasions that he is finished playing. A midseason return at age 46 is not a realistic scenario.
Anyone asking "is drew brees retired" should understand that the league's own records confirm his retired status.
How does Drew Brees's retirement compare to Peyton Manning's?
Both retired after winning a Super Bowl and after seasons marked by physical decline. Manning retired at 39 after Super Bowl 50; Brees retired at 42 after a Divisional Round loss. Manning moved immediately into broadcasting and endorsements, while Brees took a shorter broadcasting path and shifted to business and philanthropy.
The question "is drew brees retired" applies equally to both legends, each of whom left on their own terms.
Conclusion
- Drew Brees officially retired on March 14, 2021, after 20 NFL seasons and 15 years with the New Orleans Saints
- He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards (80,358) and held the record for most 5,000-yard seasons
- His post-retirement life has centered on family, the Brees Dream Foundation, and business ventures, not football
- No credible comeback rumors exist, and Brees has repeatedly confirmed he is done playing
If you want to verify any of the stats or records mentioned here, visit Pro Football Reference for career data or NFL.com for official league records. The definitive answer to "is drew brees retired" is yes — and every available piece of evidence says that will not change.
