Feb. 25, 2026, 12:10 p.m. CT
Sean Payton and Drew Brees accomplished a lot together. The former coach-and-quarterback duo won 135 regular season games with the New Orleans Saints, plus nine playoff games — and a world championship in Super Bowl XLIV. And when Brees was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot, Payton was as happy as anyone to see his old quarterback get his time in the spotlight.
Payton had previously congratulated Brees for this big achievement, but he was happy to run it back when asked again by Adam West for the Saints Block Party Podcast at this year’s NFL Combine:
“I’m super excited for him and his family, you’re talking about Brees. I saw him probably two weekends ago. He was back (in New Orleans) for Mardi Gras. That was a big deal. To be part of that with somebody was emotional. He just represented all the things that was so good relative to his play. He truly… We’ve seen this with other athletes, but he truly brought the best out of all of us. Coaches. His work ethic was something. That was pretty cool to get that call. He has sat on it for three weeks I think. His wife planned the surprise with him, and then I was just… And the idea that he went in with (Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Luke) Kuechly. Those two had this cat and mouse game going on forever. So their busts will be next to each other. It was pretty cool.”
Brees himself has spoken about those battles with Kuechly over the years, and it’s fitting that they’re going into the Hall of Fame together. And as Payton said, Brees had a work ethic and ability to elevate the talent around him that few quarterbacks have matched. He’s just the eleventh first-ballot passer to be chosen in 35 years, during a modern era of football that has seen rules changes and rapid advancements to the passing game. There have been a lot of good quarterbacks in that time. As Payton laid it out, Brees was one of the greats.
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