Sean Payton seemingly reveals 2020 will be final season for Drew Brees

Drew Brees recently signed a new two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, but the quarterback may already have plans to make 2020 his final season in the NFL.

Brees contemplated retirement this offseason before deciding to return, so it goes without saying that he is taking a year-to-year approach. However, a comment Saints head coach Sean Payton made during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up!” Tuesday morning indicated Brees has already decided he will call it a career after next season.

Sean Payton’s quote about this being Drew Brees’ final season. pic.twitter.com/ooq4D9JVkV

— Andrew Doak (@AndrewDoak_WWL) March 31, 2020

Payton was discussing the role he envisions Taysom Hill playing in 2020 and beyond when the coach called the situation “unique” and said Brees has “announced he’s coming back for his final season.”

“I think Taysom sees himself as being a starting quarterback in this league, and we do, too,” Payton said.

The reason Payton’s remarks were noteworthy is that Brees has not said publicly that 2020 will be his final season. It sounds like he has expressed that privately to the Saints.

Hill has played a variety of roles for the Saints, and Payton seems to love him. While he’s capable of running, catching and blocking in addition to throwing, Hill has made his career goals very clear at this point. Based on what Payton said Tuesday, it sounds like the Saints are expecting Hill to take over as their starting quarterback in 2021.