Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
NFL legend Drew Brees grabbed attention after revealing that he planned to come out of retirement and suit up for the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots last season.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brees talked to then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael about his potential comeback after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The 47-year-old Brees, however, had to cancel his plan due to a wrist injury.
Broncos coach Sean Payton admitted that he had no idea about Brees' possible return, according to the Denver Post's Parker Gabriel.
“Sean Payton said he was the ‘odd man out' on any conversations about Drew Brees coming out of retirement for the AFC title game. (He) said he didn't know anything about it until the offseason,” wrote Gabriel on X.
He said Payton added: “I was just like you guys.”
The 62-year-old tactician has maintained a close relationship with Brees, whom he coached for several years on the New Orleans Saints. They won a Super Bowl in 2010.
Payton was “both fascinated and flabbergasted” upon learning about Brees' supposed plan, as per Schefter.
The Broncos ended up losing to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, 10-7. Denver quarterback Jarret Stidham, who filled in for Nix, went 17-of-31 for 133 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Brees was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August.
The Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-10, in their season opener on Monday.