Saints Legend Drew Brees on Former HC Sean Payton’s Influence on Team: ‘Sometimes That Was Was Pushing Us to the Brink, Sometimes That Was Putting His Arm Around Us and Giving Us Some Love’

On Tuesday, we learned that Sean Payton will be stepping down from coaching the New Orleans Saints. The legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees took a moment to reflect on his relationship with Payton. 

Payton and Brees have known each other for a very long time. Together, they have shared many memorable moments for the Saints. After Peyton announced his retirement, Brees took a moment and reflected on what his coach meant to him. The HC has been on the side of the QB from the first day to the very last one. 

Drew Brees on Sean Payton being an influence on his career

On Tuesday afternoon, Sean Payton held a press conference. In that press conference, he announced the end of his 15-year coaching career with the Saints. After hearing the news, Drew Brees took a moment and talked about his former head coach. 

“It always felt like coach Peyton was thinking about how he could bring the best out of his team.” Brees adds, “Sometimes that was pushing us to the brink, sometimes that was putting his arm around us and giving us some love, throwing us a bone, encouraging us.” 

Even before Brees signed the dotted line for the Saints, he was impressed with Peyton. The quarterback loved his unique ways to make plays. Brees is also thankful that he only ever played with one head coach. And that coach is Sean Payton. 

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Drew concludes his statement by adding, “Sometimes that was kinda breaking you down in front of everybody to find the way that he felt like he needed to push your buttons, motivate and inspire and bring out the best in you.” The relationship between Sean and Drew is very deep. 

Peyton tried to pull Brees out of retirement

In Week 16 of this season, the Saints were in deep trouble. The injuries and COVID hit them hard. The quarterback and even the backup quarterbacks were out. 

The HC contacted former QBs Drew Brees and Philip Rivers in an attempt to bring them back. Rivers denied instantly, and Brees posted a picture of him playing golf and enjoying retirement. 

In Tuesday’s press conference Sean Payton said, “Considering our lineup in the Dolphins game, it was best that he didn’t come.” Drew definitely made the right decision because the Saints lost that game pretty brutally. Enjoying retirement was the better option. 

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