Drew Brees entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August after waiting the mandatory five years for induction.
Few knew then, but the clock was almost reset.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Brees considered coming out of retirement in January to play for the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game after Bo Nix fractured his ankle in the team's playoff win over the Buffalo Bills.
Brees, who retired in 2021, was 47 years old when, according to Schefter, he spoke with then-Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and his assistant Pete Carmichael, with whom Brees had relationships from his days playing for Broncos head coach Sean Payton and his staff in New Orleans.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the discussions were short-lived. Brees "felt discomfort"
in his wrist during an ensuing workout and quickly abandoned the idea, Schefter said, citing sources.
Jarrett Stidham ended up starting for the Broncos in the conference championship game. Denver lost 10-7 to the New England Patriots, who later fell to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
Quarterback Philip Rivers might have inspired Brees. Rivers returned to the NFL last season at 43 years old to play for the Indianapolis Colts. He went 0-3 as a starter and the Colts became the first team in 30 years to miss the playoffs after an 8-2 start to the season.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drew Brees considered ending retirement to play for Broncos last season: Report
