Feb. 6, 2026, 11:38 a.m. CT
Drew Brees was selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during Thursday evening’s NFL Honors ceremony, and nobody was happier for the former New Orleans Saints quarterback than his old coach Sean Payton. Now with the Denver Broncos, Payton shared a message of congratulations to Brees and his family on the historic achievement:
He came when most were leaving…Set a bar so high for all of us….He lead immediately….He’s OUR 1st Ballot HOF QB!Congratulations Drew Brees. Also, Congratulations to Your wife Brittany, Baylen, Bowen, Callen and Rylen. It was an honor to have coached you.
Brees was a 12-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro during his time with Payton in New Orleans, twice winning recognition as NFL Offensive Player of the Year along the way. On top of that, he and Payton won Super Bowl XLIV together and Brees was named MVP for the championship victory. They joined the Saints together at a time, Payton acknowledged, that many people were looking away from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Together they helped give the city something to cheer for while establishing the winningest era in franchise history. Brees will be formally inducted at the Hall of Fame in August, and he’ll be waiting for Payton to join him someday.
