“If there’s one player who turned this franchise around it’s number 9. Drew Brees came to the Big Easy in 2006 when the city needed a rebirth after Hurricane Katrina. Brees led the charge eventually taking the Saints all the way to the mountaintop in 2009, “said the NFL Throwback’s video on YouTube.

“He’s a two-time Offensive Player of the Year and has more 5,000-yard passing seasons than any quarterback in history. 12 Pro Bowls in a magnificent 15-year Saints career.” Brees had 5 crucial seasons in his career where he threw for more than 5,000 yards in a season going as high as 5,476 yards in the 2011 season. Not only that, but Brees became a trailblazer with his 71,968 passing yards with the New Orleans Saints.

The whole column would be remiss If we didn’t talk about Rickey Jackson, a DE/LB for the franchise for 12 years. “Many have forgotten how great Rickey Jackson was,” said the host and added, “6 seasons with 11+ sacks as a member of the famous Dome Patrol defense. Jackson made 6 Pro Bowls, registered the second-most sacks in the franchise history, he trails only this man in that category…” elaborated the video.

However, before we move on from Jackson, it’s important to know about his 115 sacks in his Saints career. This next player is generations apart, but unfortunately, he wasn’t there with the Dome Patrol when the Saints won their only Super Bowl. Of course, it’s Cam Heyward we’re referring to.

“Cam Jordan has wreaked havoc on quarterbacks since coming into the league in 2011. He’s been named 8 Pro Bowls and only trails Brees in total games played with the Saints. Jordan’s been steady throughout his NFL run with more sacks than any player from 2012-2023 and that includes guys like JJ Watt and Von Miller.” It just so happens that 2011’s 11 overall pick is still playing in the league. 2019 was his season best when he produced 15.5 sacks and 53 total tackles. His stats have had their ups and downs since then.

But wait till you hear about this one. There are very few people who become a Pro Bowler every year. Ask the legendary tackle Willie Roaf, who made it to the Pro Bowls in 7 consecutive seasons from 1994-2000. The NFL video dubbed him the “best LT in the league.” After playing 9 seasons in the NFL, he finally found himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Better late than never!

Remember when we told you that Brees would have continued playing football and something stopped him? Let’s shed some light on it.

Bad luck that caused Drew Brees 3 seasons in the NFL

It all started in his last season with the San Diego Chargers of the time back in 2005. In the finale of that season, Brees suffered a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing arm and would go on to have surgery a few days later. But the same shoulder was put to the test again in the 2025 season where he suffered a shoulder rotator cuff tear.

“Honestly, man, if my right arm was still working, I probably would’ve played another three years,” Brees told the media. “My body feels great. My body can play. My right arm can’t. Unfortunately, that’s what kind of forced me to step away. And it was time too.”

The Saints stalwart made his case by saying, “At the end of the day, it’s like, how capable … am I to do the job, right? I would’ve run QB draws. I would’ve done whatever. I would’ve done some veer option. We would’ve pulled out all the stops. I was ready. Pull out the high school playbook,”

Getting injured in the same shoulder over and over might not be Brees’ cup of tea and he decided to give up football after his 2020 season. Throughout the column, Brees insisted that his right shoulder doesn’t work like it once used to. One thing is for sure, he would be in the same club as Tom Brady in terms of yardage if he played for 3 more seasons. But we’ll end it on a good note here considering the Saints’ only Super Bowl win in the history of the sport came with Drew Brees.