Drew Brees has officially shut down any talk of an NFL comeback.The formerNew Orleans Saints quarterback revealed that the right arm that carried him to a Super Bowl title and a future Hall of Fame simply cannot throw a football anymore.
Drew Brees Reveals Why An NFL Comeback Is No Longer Possible
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the half time Ring of Honor ceremony for Jahri Evans at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Speaking on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Brees explained why a return similar to Philip Rivers’ brief comeback stint is no longer realistic.
“does not work.”
🚨🚨 New Orleans #Saints legendary QB Drew Brees has officially put any lingering comeback rumors to rest, revealing that his iconic right throwing arm "does not work" for football anymore.
Speaking on the 'Bussin' With The Boys' podcast, Brees discussed fellow veteran Philip…
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 21, 2026
According to Brees, years of wear and tear, coupled with the severe shoulder injury that he had gotten in 2005, made him unable to throw using his throwing hand.
This injury happened when Brees was playing his final season with the San Diego Chargers, where he had torn his rotator cuff muscle and suffered from a 360-degree labral tear when he had dislocated his right shoulder. Back then, several doctors doubted if he had enough strength to continue playing.
But the quarterback underwent surgery and joined the Saints in 2006, thus changing their history.
In the following 15 seasons playing for the team in New Orleans, Brees has turned out to be among the league’s greatest passers who has thrown more than 80,000 yards, won Super Bowl XLIV, and revolutionized the passing game.
After the 2020 season, when Brees announced his retirement, he had already become the leading passer in NFL history in yards and touchdowns thrown, records later broken by Tom Brady. Still, the former stands as the second-best passer of all time by yards and completions, and the most successful player in Saints history.
Except that the long-term effects of that shoulder injury never disappeared. Brees did explain that severe degenerative arthritis developed in the repaired shoulder, limiting his range of motion and making overhead throwing difficult. Activities such as golf and pickleball remain manageable as they do not require the same repetitive motion as throwing a football.
He now throws left-handed when playing catch with his children because his right arm can no longer handle the workload.
The 47-year-old admitted he still believes he could diagnose defenses and know exactly where to go with the football. Physically, though, his body has made the decision for him.
For one of the most accurate QBs the league has ever seen, the reality is simple: the arm that defined his career is no longer built for football.