• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Larry Brown Sports

Larry Brown Sports

Brown Bag it, Baby

  • Home
  • Blog View
  • NFL
  • NCAAF
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • Media
  • Headlines
  • Podcast
Featured StoriesFootballDrew BreesNew Orleans SaintsPhilip Rivers

Report: Saints reached out to 2 QBs about unretiring for Week 16

December 25, 2021 by Grey Papke • Comments
FacebookTweetLinkedInRedditThreadsWhatsAppEmail
Drew Brees

Drew Brees

The New Orleans Saints found themselves in desperate need of quarterback help this week, and apparently made an effort to call in some retired quarterbacks on an emergency basis.

The Saints reached out to Philip Rivers and Drew Brees to gauge their interest in coming back for the team’s Week 16 game against Miami, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com. Brees was the team’s first call and spoke to head coach Sean Payton about possibly coming back, and apparently legitimately considered the idea.

Ultimately, both quarterbacks turned down the opportunity. Neither Rivers nor Brees wanted to come back if they were not going to start. In addition, Brees simply did not feel confident he could successfully get into short notice and play well enough to help the team on such short notice.

The Saints were on the hunt for quarterback help after both Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian landed in the NFL’s health and safety protocols, leaving rookie Ian Book as the team’s lone option. After Rivers and Brees declined the team’s overtures, the Saints ultimately brought in Blake Bortles as an emergency backup.

Book had a pretty funny line about learning of his starting duties this week, but it turns out the Saints legitimately looked at other options. Ultimately, none of it came to fruition, intriguing as it would have been.


  • i want more great stories!

Sign up today for free and get the best sports content sent to your inbox.

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

.
LBS iPhone App
Get the App

Follow Us

Get instantly notified of the most viral news stories via Google!

  • Trending stories

Buff Bagwell in a hospital bed

Wrestling legend has his leg amputated

2 days ago
Browns running back Quinshon Judkins looking on

Police share new details about Quinshon Judkins arrest

July 13, 2025
Karmelo Anthony poses for a mugshot

Karmelo Anthony will not face trial for a long time

6 days ago
Sam Ponder on the ESPN set

Sam Ponder shares reason she was fired by ESPN

4 days ago
Shane Lowry addresses a ball in the rough

Shane Lowry appeared to commit penalty during Open Championship

2 days ago

Sidebar

© 2025 · LB Sports Media Group Inc

  • X
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • RSS Feed
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Process
  • Staff Writers
  • Privacy Policy
Dedicated to the memory of Nevil Vega