Adam Schefter of ESPN stirred attention in the NFL world before the “Monday Night Football” game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. His report indicated that the Broncos were in talks with Drew Brees about a potential return before their AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots in January.
The possibility of this outreach could lead to issues with the league. According to Schefter, then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael communicated with Brees. They discussed him starting for Denver or backing up Jarrett Stidham after Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury in the Broncos’ victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
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Brees experienced wrist discomfort during a workout, which halted further considerations. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk called Schefter’s report insignificant for several reasons. First, league rules require a retired player to return by Week 13 to remain eligible for the rest of the season and postseason. Second, Brees was on the Saints’ reserve-retired list.
If New Orleans released Brees to participate in the AFC Championship, he would have faced waivers. If Broncos personnel engaged Brees without the Saints’ consent, the league might penalize them for tampering.
“That doesn’t mean the Broncos didn’t talk to Brees, as Schefter reports,” Florio wrote. “If, however, then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael spoke to Brees without permission from the Saints, it would have been tampering.”
This poses another question. Will the league investigate the Broncos for tampering, based on Schefter’s report? The league might proceed, even without a complaint from the Saints.
Schefter mentioned that Sean Payton was unaware of the Broncos’ attempts to recruit Brees for the AFC Championship until the offseason. The head coach could still face repercussions due to his staff’s actions from the previous season.
For more on the Broncos and the NFL, go to Newsweek Sports.
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