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About the Author: Scott Reynolds
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With rampant speculation that New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees will retire at the end of this season after 20 years, Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady will likely surpass Brees next year to become the NFL’s all-time leading passer.
“Everybody expects after this season Drew Brees will retire,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday NFL Countdown. “They thought that last year and he surprised them in March by deciding to come back. This time, he’s got a signed contract with NBC. This time, he’s another year older. This time, he’s played through the 11 fractured ribs, the punctured lung. It’s been a difficult, physical season and I think most people still believe that this will be the final season for Drew Brees in New Orleans and in the NFL before he turns to the broadcast booth.”
Brees, 41, is expected to transition into the TV booth next year as an NFL broadcast commentator, while the 43-year old Brady is under contract for one more season with the Bucs.
Brees is currently atop the NFL all-time passing yardage leader with 81,157 yards prior to Sunday’s game at Carolina, and he made history three years ago when he passed Peyton Manning (71,940 yards) to move into first place on the all-time list. Over the last two years Brady has moved past Manning too, and into second place behind Brees. Prior to Tampa Bay’s game against Atlanta, Brady has 78,805 passing yards and trails Brees by 2,352 yards.
Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Brady, who has passed for 4,234 yards in his first year with the Buccaneers, would be able to surpass Brees by midseason in 2021 if he stays healthy.
Brady already passed Brees as the NFL’s all-time passing touchdown leader this season. Brady, who has thrown for 36 touchdowns in 2020, now has 577 regular season TD passes in his 21 years in the league, while Brees has thrown 568 career touchdowns.
Brees has battled rib injuries this year, which caused him to miss four games. Brees has only thrown 21 touchdown passes this year as a result. The 13-time Pro Bowler missed five games in 2019 with a thumb injury.
