The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee announced tonight that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be enshrined as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, as part of the NFL Honors awards ceremony at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Brees and the rest of the class will be enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio in August.
Brees, who spent the last 15 seasons of his playing career with the Saints, where he shattered all team passing records and broke multiple NFL records in leading the Black and Gold to the Super Bowl XLIV championship, is the inaugural first-ballot Hall of Famer in franchise history.
"Drew's work ethic, preparation and passion for the game helped launch the New Orleans Saints to new heights," said Saints Owner Gayle Benson. "Drew raised the standard for excellence throughout our entire organization and established a culture of leadership and accountability that continues to guide us today. He elevated everyone around him and earned the deepest respect of all players, coaches, and staff across the organization. In addition to his exceptional performance on the field and the victories he led, highlighted by the Super Bowl XLIV championship, Drew's impact extended well beyond the game. Through his commitment to community service and leadership off the field, he played a significant role in inspiring and strengthening the Gulf South. Drew is unquestionably a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, and we congratulate him as he rightfully takes his place among the greatest players in the history of the National Football League."
"For 15 years, Drew Brees represented New Orleans Saints football perfectly," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. "When we signed him in 2006, he played an important role in transforming our franchise. Drew set the standard for the quarterback position not only within our organization, but across the National Football League – a standard defined by his performance, his preparation, and his leadership. We congratulate Drew on his first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame selection."
Brees was originally selected by the San Diego Chargers with the first pick in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Purdue University. Brees received his first significant action as a rookie in 2001, took over the Chargers starting job in 2002 and led San Diego to its first playoff berth since the 1995 campaign in 2004, as he was selected to his first of 13 Pro Bowls and voted as the consensus NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
After suffering a serious shoulder injury in the last game of the 2005 campaign, Brees signed with New Orleans and rehabbed ardently from an extensive surgery to prepare for an unforgettable debut season in the Crescent City in 2006, where he was selected as an Associated Press All-Pro, Pro Bowl starter, led the Saints to the NFC championship game for the first time in franchise history and set the table for a prolonged run of astounding production and consistency.
A season after becoming only the second quarterback in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards and capturing AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, Brees led New Orleans to the top of the mountain in capturing Super Bowl XLIV and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. His heroics on and off the field earned him the esteemed Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and AP Male Athlete of the Year honors. In 2011, Brees produced one of the most prolific seasons ever as he was named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the second time, completing 468-of-657 passes (71.2 pct.) for 5,476 yards with 46 touchdown passes and a 110.6 passer rating, as he set what was then the league's single-season passing yardage mark in leading New Orleans to its second 13-3 campaign in three seasons.
Continuing to be a model of consistency, Brees eventually transitioned the franchise to a second period of excellence and in 2018, enjoyed another standout campaign where he set the NFL's single-season record for completion percentage (74.4), completing 364-of-489 passes for 3,992 yards with 32 touchdowns, only five interceptions and a 115.7 passer rating as he led the Black and Gold to the NFC Championship game, becoming the NFL's all-time leader in passing yardage and completions along the way. In what would turn out to be his final campaign under center in 2020, Brees became the first quarterback to surpass 80,000 career passing yards.
In his career, Brees was a two-time AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, named to 13 Pro Bowls, five AP All-Pro teams, was the AP 2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the 2006 co-recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and the 2007 winner of the PFWA George Halas Award (given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed). Over 20 seasons, he appeared in 287 regular season games with 286 starts and completed 7,142-of-10,551 passes (67.7 pct.) for 80,358 yards, 571 touchdowns and a 98.7 passer rating. He set numerous NFL passing records and retired as the league's all-time leader in passing yardage (80,358), completions (7,142) passing attempts (10,551), ranked second in career completion percentage (67.7 pct.) and touchdown passes (571) and fifth in passer rating (98.7).
Brees set marks for touchdown passes in a game (seven, tied with seven other players), completions in a season (471, 2016- since broken), completion percentage in a season (74.4, 2018), completion percentage in a game (96.7, 12/16/19), 300-yard passing games in a season (13, 2011), consecutive games with at least 300 yards passing (nine, twice), most passing yards in a four-season span (20,767, 2011-14), most passing yards in a five-season span (25,637, 2011-15), most passing yards in a six-season span (30,845, 2011-16), most seasons leading the league in passing yardage (seven), consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54, 2009-12), games with four-plus touchdown passes (37), games with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions (25), games with five-plus touchdown passes (11), consecutive (nine) seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes, career 300-yard passing games (123), career 350-yard passing games (63) and career 400-yard passing games (16). The Austin, Texas native retired holding four of the top five most accurate seasons in league history and threw for 5,000 yards an NFL-record five times, a feat no other player has accomplished more than twice.
Starting all 18 postseason contests, he appeared in, Brees completed 481-of-721 passes (66.7 pct.) for 5,366 yards with 37 touchdowns and a 97.1 passer rating. In his finest postseason moments in the 2009 playoffs, he completed 72-of-102 passes (70.6 pct.) for 732 yards, eight touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 117.0 passer rating en route to the Super Bowl XLIV title. In Super Bowl XLIV vs. the Indianapolis Colts, Brees completed 32-of-39 passes (82.1 pct.) for 288 yards with two touchdowns, zero picks and a 114.5 passer rating, winning Most Valuable Player honors. In the contest, Brees completed 18 of his last 19 passes and final 10 attempts. He is one of only eight quarterbacks to have 200 passing yards, two touchdown passes and a 70% completion percentage in a Super Bowl win.
Brees' record as a starter for the Saints was 151-94 (.616) in the regular season and postseason combined, easily making him the winningest signal-caller in franchise history. Posting a 144-85 (.629) record in the regular season and postseason with Sean Payton as his head coach, the Payton-Brees head coach/starting quarterback combination is tied for second in total wins all-time in NFL history. Brees is the holder of virtually every passing record in club record books with his 15 years of service and 228 regular season starts for the Black and Gold, both the highest totals in the team's history at the time. From 2006-20, Brees led the NFL with 68,010 passing yards, 491 touchdown passes, 8,742 attempts, 6,017 completions, a 68.8 completion percentage, 116 games with at least 300 yards passing, 16 with at least 400 and 518 completions of 25 yards or more.
Brees is one of 11 players from the Saints organization to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He joins linebacker Rickey Jackson (2009), tackle William Roaf (2012), kicker Morten Andersen (2017) and linebacker Sam Mills (2022) as honorees who spent most of their playing career with the Saints.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
As Drew Brees' Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy comes into focus, we look back at his Saints career with 100 of the best photos from his time in New Orleans.
