Drew Brees is a Hall of Famer. He's got the records. He's got the numbers. He's got the Lombardi Trophy. No one doubts his ability and accomplishments in this game. But unlike the 5-7 New Orleans Saints, Father Time is undefeated.
Brees is 35 years old, and his production has dipped noticeably of late. The Saints aren't going to bench him tomorrow, but the word is that they'll begin to prepare for his eventual successor this offseason.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted that New Orleans is "preparing for life after Brees. Expect them to draft a QB high in this draft. They wish they did last year."
"Drew Brees is 35 years old & #Saints have seen arm strength wane. He's not big like Brady or Manning. #Saints must be prepared for the end," Rapoport added.
It's true that the Saints are in play for the NFC South crown and a playoff berth this season. But that has more to do with the sorry state of the division than any recent heroics from Brees. Finishing under .500 would dramatically increase New Orleans' chances of having a shot at one of the top QB prospects - Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston - in the 2015 NFL draft.
Should the team snag a few more victories, Brett Hundley, Connor Cook, Bryce Petty and others are all options for the Saints. ESPN's Draft Expert Mel Kiper Jr. discussed some of the less heralded prospects at the position.
"The back end of this list has shifted a great deal during the season as I've spent time on QBs," Kiper wrote. "[Bryan] Bennett is a new arrival, as is [Garrett] Grayson and [Everett] Golson. Gone are Cody Fajardo, Shane Carden and Taylor Heinicke. The constant has been Mariota at No. 1 -- he's been really what you'd hope for a player in his position and has made it easy to keep him there. Some big decisions await, and not just for Hundley -- who could have entered the 2014 draft -- but for Cook."
It's unfortunate to picture the Saints without Brees. But quality organizations are always planning ahead. New Orleans is correct to act as if the future begins now.
