It's sound policy to never assume, given the intricacies of any given situation and the unplanned, uncontrollable factors that may arise.

But the only way Drew Brees doesn't gain entry to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year is if the vote is canceled or he declines to accept. Either is possible, but since each is so unlikely as to not warrant mention, the announcement is a foregone conclusion for the best player in New Orleans Saints franchise history, who is on the short list for greatest quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.

His by-the-numbers accomplishments are astounding, his aerial artistry sounding a piercing alarm even above the fray occupied by other standout passers who labored during his same career timeline.

In 20 NFL seasons — 15 as a Saint, from 2006-20, after joining the franchise as an unrestricted free agent — Brees totaled 80,358 passing yards (second in NFL history), 571 passing touchdowns (second), 7,142 completions (first), 172 wins (fourth) and completed 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 named NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

He set NFL records with five 5,000-yard passing seasons (there have been 15 such seasons in NFL history, spread among eight other quarterbacks, none with more than two), 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass, 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, led the Saints to seven NFC South Division titles, nine 10-win seasons and three NFC Championship Game appearances.

Unofficially, Brees could have been sized for his Hall of Fame gold jacket when he retired on March 14, 2021 — 15 years to the day that he signed his first contract with the Saints.

Officially, come August, he would break another record: the first Saints player to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

A perfect fit for a perfect candidate.