Drew Brees was a Pro Football Hall of Famer long before the formal announcement was made Thursday night.
Though 2026 marked his first year of eligibility, the announcement just as easily could have been on March 14, 2021 — the day he announced his NFL retirement, 15 years to the day from signing with the New Orleans Saints as an unrestricted free agent and becoming one of the most productive passers in NFL history.
Or, after the Week 3 game in his 18th season — Sept. 23, 2018, against Atlanta — when he broke Brett Favre's league record for career pass completions in the second quarter.
Or possibly after Week 16 of his 17th season — on Christmas Eve, against Atlanta (again) – when he became the third quarterback in league history to surpass 70,000 career passing yards (in 248 games, fastest in history).
Or maybe even at the conclusion of the 2016 season, his 16th, when his 5,208 passing yards led the league and became the fifth time he'd topped the 5,000-yard mark. Eight quarterbacks have combined to total the 10 other 5,000-yard passing seasons in league history.
Those occasions, or myriad other milestones (including an NFL-record 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass), could have been appropriate backdrops and stopping points to make an announcement that was as predictable as the sunrise.
But Thursday was the chosen day for the obvious reveal — that Brees' bust will be unveiled this fall at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, and will be housed alongside the titans of the game. He is the first Saints player in franchise history to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
His legacy includes a trail of accolades and accomplishments few can rival.
In 20 NFL seasons — 15 as a Saint, from 2006-20 — Brees totaled 80,358 passing yards (second in NFL history), 571 passing touchdowns (second), 7,142 completions (first), and led 172 wins (fourth) while completing 67.7 percent of his passes (third).
He was the Most Valuable Player in the Saints' victory over Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV, was named All-Pro five times, was a Pro Bowler 13 times and twice was NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
He set NFL records for most touchdown passes in a game (seven) and the highest single-season completion percentage (74.4).
He earned the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2006, is a member of the Saints Hall of Fame, will be inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor, led the NFL in passing yards seven times, led the league in touchdown passes four times, was the league's Comeback Player of the Year as a Charger in 2004 and led the Saints to seven NFC South Division titles, nine 10-win seasons and three NFC Championship Game appearances.
All of that made Thursday an inevitability.
But, still, a welcome one for the best player in Saints franchise history.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
Check out the pregame arrivals and warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL Season on Oct. 17, 2024 in the Caesars Superdome.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
The Saints honored Drew Brees during their Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos with a halftime ceremony to induct him into the Saints Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable impact on the franchise and the city.
