Drew Brees
Former NFL quarterback, second all-time in passing yards and touchdowns, led Saints to Super Bowl XLIV victory.
via Wikipedia: 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season · see source
Drew Christopher Brees (born January 15, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. A member of the New Orleans Saints for most of his career, he is second all-time in career passing yards and career touchdown passes, and third in career pass completions and career completion percentage. Brees also held the record of consecutive games with a touchdown pass, breaking the record held by Johnny Unitas for 52 years. He is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Quick Facts
- Team
- New Orleans Saints
- Position
- Quarterback
- Conference
- NFC
- Status
- Retired
- Rival context
- Division Opponent (NFC South)
Lore & Background
Brees played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, winning the Maxwell Award and Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 2000 and setting the Big Ten Conference records for completions, attempts, and yards. Due to questions over his height and arm strength, he was not selected until the second round of the 2001 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. Brees initially struggled before having a breakout season in 2004 when he led the Chargers to their first playoff appearance since 1995 and first division title since 1994, earning him Pro Bowl and Comeback Player of the Year honors. The following year, Brees suffered a potentially career-ending injury and left the Chargers in free agency. Joining the Saints, Brees brought new success to a franchise that had only seven winning seasons, five playoff appearances, and one postseason win during the 39 years prior to his arrival. From 2006 to 2020, he led the Saints to seven division titles (including four consecutive from 2017 to 2020), nine playoff appearances, nine playoff wins, three NFC Championship Game appearances, and the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV, earning him the game's MVP award. By the conclusion of his 15 seasons in New Orleans, he was twice named Offensive Player of the Year, extended his Pro Bowl selections to 13, and was selected to one first-team All-Pro. He also led the league in passing yards a record seven times. Brees retired after the 2020 season and spent the following year as an analyst on NBC Sunday Night Football. He also served as an interim assistant football coach with Purdue in 2022. Brees was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
Reader's Guide
Brees was born on January 15, 1979 in Dallas, Texas. He played college football at Purdue, where he set Big Ten Conference records for completions, attempts, and yards. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. After five seasons with the Chargers, he joined the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and played there until his retirement after the 2020 season. He led the Saints to their first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV and was named Super Bowl MVP. He is second all-time in career passing yards and career touchdown passes, and third in career pass completions and career completion percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Drew Brees to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
He served as the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, acting as a primary divisional opponent within the NFC South. His consistent performance made him a central figure in the competitive landscape facing Tampa Bay.
During which years did this rivalry occur?
The head-to-head competition spanned from the 2006 season through the end of the 2020 campaign. This timeframe covers the duration of Brees's tenure with the Saints.
How did Brees challenge the Buccaneers' defense?
His precision passing and ability to read defenses required Tampa Bay to maintain exceptional discipline on the field. Defenders had to stay focused to prevent his offense from exploiting coverage weaknesses.
Did Drew Brees ever play for the Buccaneers?
No, he spent his professional career with the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints. He never signed with Tampa Bay, remaining a fierce adversary throughout his time in the league.
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