Editing Drew Brees (section)

====2020 season====
{{See also|2020 New Orleans Saints season}}
On March 17, 2020, Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Saints.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=March 17, 2020 |title=Drew Brees agrees to 2-year, $50M deal with Saints |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/drew-brees-agrees-to-2-year-50m-deal-with-saints-0ap3000001106597 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411040742/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001106597/article/drew-brees-agrees-to-2year-50m-deal-with-saints |archive-date=April 11, 2020 |access-date=April 8, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

In the Saints' regular-season opener against the [[2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] and their new quarterback [[Tom Brady]], Brees completed 18 of 30 passes for 160 passing yards and two touchdowns, breaking [[Brett Favre]]'s record for most career pass attempts in the process, as the Saints won by a score of 34–23.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Triplett |first=Mike |date=September 13, 2020 |title=Drew Brees sets record for career pass attempts in New Orleans Saints' win |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29879812/drew-brees-sets-record-career-attempts-new-orleans-saints-opener |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915070159/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29879812/drew-brees-sets-record-career-attempts-new-orleans-saints-opener |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=November 12, 2020 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> Following the Week 1 victory, Brees helped lead the Saints to a 5–2 stretch leading into a second matchup with Brady in Week 9. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he passed for 222 yards and four touchdowns in the 38–3 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - November 8th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011080tam.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107052904/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011080tam.htm |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2020 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> With the win over the Buccaneers, Brees defeated Brady head-to-head for the second time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Werner |first=Barry |date=January 11, 2021 |title=How the first 2 rounds of Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees in 2020 turned out |url=https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/01/11/tampa-bay-buccaneers-new-orleans-saints-tom-brady-drew-brees-2020e-first-2-rounds-of-tom-brady-vs-drew-brees-in-2020-turned-out/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415051044/https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/01/11/tampa-bay-buccaneers-new-orleans-saints-tom-brady-drew-brees-2020e-first-2-rounds-of-tom-brady-vs-drew-brees-in-2020-turned-out/ |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |access-date=January 17, 2022 |website=Touchdown Wire |publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

On November 15, 2020, Brees left the Saints’ Week 10 game against the [[2020 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] following the first half with a rib injury suffered on a sack attempt from [[Kentavius Street]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2020 |title=Drew Brees to miss at least three games after New Orleans Saints put him on IR |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-20/drew-brees-miss-at-least-three-games-saints-put-him-on-ir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202200659/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-20/drew-brees-miss-at-least-three-games-saints-put-him-on-ir#:~:text=New%20Orleans%20quarterback%20Drew%20Brees,three%20games%20with%20rib%20injuries. |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Brees completed 8 of 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shannon |first=Sam |date=November 15, 2020 |title=Game recap - Drew Brees leaves with rib injury; New Orleans Saints defeat San Francisco 49ers 27-13 |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/game-recap-drew-brees-leaves-with-rib-injury-new-orleans-saints-defeat-san-franc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116005406/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/game-recap-drew-brees-leaves-with-rib-injury-new-orleans-saints-defeat-san-franc |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=New Orleans Saints}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Middlehurst-Schwartz |first=Michael |date=November 15, 2020 |title=Drew Brees leaves Saints' win vs. 49ers, Jameis Winston steps in at QB |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2020/11/15/drew-brees-injury-new-orleans-saints-jameis-winston/6306455002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116012534/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2020/11/15/drew-brees-injury-new-orleans-saints-jameis-winston/6306455002/ |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=USA Today}}</ref> The next day, it was revealed Brees had suffered multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung from the hits he had taken during the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Saints QB Drew Brees dealing with multiple broken ribs, lung issue |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-qb-drew-brees-multiple-broken-ribs-lung-issue-injury |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116200315/https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-qb-drew-brees-multiple-broken-ribs-lung-issue-injury |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Werder |first=Ed |date=November 16, 2020 |title=New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees has fractured ribs, collapsed lung, source says |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30331275/new-orleans-saints-drew-brees-fractured-ribs-collapsed-lung-source-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116195210/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30331275/new-orleans-saints-drew-brees-fractured-ribs-collapsed-lung-source-says |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> On November 20, 2020, Brees was placed on injured reserve, thereby ruling him out for at least the following three games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=November 20, 2020 |title=Saints place Drew Brees (ribs) on injured reserve, QB will miss at least next three games |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-place-drew-brees-on-injured-reserve-qb-will-miss-at-least-next-three-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120212603/https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-place-drew-brees-on-injured-reserve-qb-will-miss-at-least-next-three-game |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=November 20, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2020 |title=Saints Friday Injury Report: 2020 Week 11 vs. Atlanta Falcons |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-friday-injury-report-2020-week-11-vs-atlanta-falcons |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120211348/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-friday-injury-report-2020-week-11-vs-atlanta-falcons |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}</ref> After missing four games, Brees was activated on December 19, 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2020 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-12192020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113065934/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-12192020 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}</ref> for the Saints' Week 15 game against the [[2020 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] and threw for 234 yards, three touchdowns and one interception;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints - December 20th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012200nor.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127113219/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012200nor.htm |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> during the Saints' 32–29 loss, Brees surpassed former [[Canadian Football League|Canadian Football League (CFL)]] quarterback [[Anthony Calvillo]] for first place in career passing yards in any professional outdoor gridiron football league.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Drew Brees breaks Anthony Calvillo record |url=https://thecanadian.news/2020/12/21/drew-brees-breaks-anthony-calvillo-record/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125141123/https://thecanadian.news/2020/12/21/drew-brees-breaks-anthony-calvillo-record/ |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |access-date=January 17, 2022 |website=The Canadian}}</ref> During the Saints' next game against the [[2020 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] on [[National Football League Christmas games|Christmas Day]], Brees became the first quarterback in history to record 80,000 career passing yards as New Orleans won 52–33 to clinch a fourth straight NFC South title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Tyler |date=December 25, 2020 |title=Drew Brees becomes first player ever to pass for 80,000 yards as Saints clinch NFC South in Christmas win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/drew-brees-becomes-first-player-ever-to-pass-for-80000-yards-as-saints-clinch-nfc-south-in-christmas-win/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309191343/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/drew-brees-becomes-first-player-ever-to-pass-for-80000-yards-as-saints-clinch-nfc-south-in-christmas-win/#:~:text=With%20his%20311%20yards%20passing,pass%20for%2080%2C000%20career%20yards. |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> Overall, he finished the 2020 season with 2,942 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions in twelve games with the Saints finishing with a 12–4 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drew Brees 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BreeDr00/gamelog/2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111061149/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BreeDr00/gamelog/2020/ |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

In the [[2020–21 NFL playoffs#NFC: New Orleans Saints 21, Chicago Bears 9|Wild Card Round]] against the [[2020 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], Brees threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns during the 21–9 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints - January 10th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101100nor.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108043650/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101100nor.htm |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=January 10, 2021 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the [[2020–21 NFL playoffs#NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, New Orleans Saints 20|Divisional Round]] against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brees threw for 134 yards and a touchdown but also threw three interceptions in a 30–20 loss to eventual [[Super Bowl LV]] champions in what would turn out to be Brees' final game played in the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dajani |first1=Jordan |last2=Benjamin |first2=Cody |date=January 18, 2021 |title=Saints vs. Buccaneers score: Tom Brady advances to NFC Championship as Drew Brees' turnovers sink New Orleans |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-vs-buccaneers-score-tom-brady-advances-to-nfc-championship-as-drew-brees-turnovers-sink-new-orleans/live/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118025906/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-vs-buccaneers-score-tom-brady-advances-to-nfc-championship-as-drew-brees-turnovers-sink-new-orleans/live/ |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2021 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}</ref>

On February 6, 2021, the Saints renegotiated Brees' contract, which reduced his salary down to $1.075 million for the upcoming season to save salary cap space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Jelani |date=February 5, 2021 |title=Saints renegotiate QB Drew Brees' contract, free up cap space in 2021 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-renegotiate-qb-drew-brees-contract-frees-up-cap-space-in-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206034210/https://www.nfl.com/news/saints-renegotiate-qb-drew-brees-contract-frees-up-cap-space-in-2021 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> On March 14, 2021, exactly 15 years to the day that Brees signed his first contract with the [[New Orleans Saints]], Brees announced his retirement after twenty seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2021 |title=Drew Brees announces retirement |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/drew-brees-announces-nfl-retirement-new-orleans-saints-quarterback-career |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314211631/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/drew-brees-announces-nfl-retirement-new-orleans-saints-quarterback-career |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}</ref> The Saints placed him on their reserve/retired list on June 11, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=June 11, 2021 |title=Drew Brees officially goes on reserve/retired list |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/11/drew-brees-officially-goes-on-reserve-retired-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613133253/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/11/drew-brees-officially-goes-on-reserve-retired-list/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |website=NBCSports.com}}</ref>