Sources: Drew Brees mulled playing for Broncos in AFC title game - ESPN

It turns out that Philip Rivers' out-of-nowhere return to the NFL last season almost started a trend that would have been trumped by the potential return of Drew Brees.

After the Broncos lost starting quarterback Bo Nix to a fractured ankle in their overtime playoff victory against the Bills, Denver's then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael had discussions with Brees about the former star quarterback coming out of retirement to be ready for the AFC Championship Game, sources told ESPN.

Brees had turned 47 years old just two days before Nix suffered the ankle injury on Jan. 17. He spoke to Lombardi and Carmichael, his longtime assistant coaches with the Saints, early in the week ahead of Denver's AFC Championship Game showdown against the Patriots, telling them that he wanted to first work out to see how his body would respond.

But once he tried, Brees found discomfort in his wrist and nixed the idea that would have become one of the most improbable returns in NFL history, according to sources.

Brees hinted earlier this year at a potential opportunity to return to the NFL, telling the «New Heights» podcast that he «had some conversations.»

In an interview published on Feb. 11, Brees told «New Heights» that «something happened where I thought there might be a chance where I could play that week.»

Brees did not identify a specific team or provide details on the situation he was alluding to, but acknowledged that he was «not there» in terms of being physically able to play.

Brees announced his retirement in March 2021, 15 years to the day that he first signed with the Saints, and was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past summer.

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