Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Drew Brees

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Drew Brees made an impact.

Drew Brees is a former American football quarterback, playing 20 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the New Orleans Saints. He ranks among the top quarterbacks of all time, holding numerous records. Notably, he is second all-time in career passing yards and touchdown passes. Brees also held a record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54). He is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1967: Purdue Big Ten Championship

In 2000, Drew Brees led the Purdue Boilermakers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967.

1996: State Championship

In 1996, Drew Brees led the Austin Westlake High School football team to a 16-0 record and a state championship. He was also selected as Texas High School 5A Most Valuable Offensive Player

1998: NCAA Record

In the 1998 season, in a game against Wisconsin, Drew Brees tied an NCAA single-game record with 55 completions and set the NCAA record for pass attempts in a single game with 83.

2000: Big Ten Championship

In 2000, Drew Brees led the Purdue Boilermakers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967.

November 4, 2001: First Professional Game

On November 4, 2001, Drew Brees played in his first professional game against the Kansas City Chiefs, relieving Doug Flutie due to a concussion. He passed for 221 yards and a touchdown.

2001: Rose Bowl Appearance

In 2001, Drew Brees led Purdue to the Rose Bowl, the school's first appearance there since 1967.

2001: NFL Draft Selection

In 2001, Drew Brees was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.

August 19, 2002: Named Starter for the Chargers

On August 19, 2002, Drew Brees was named the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers for the 2002 season, taking over from Doug Flutie.

2003: Establishment of Brees Dream Foundation

In 2003, Drew Brees and his wife Brittany founded the Brees Dream Foundation to support cancer patients and research and also assist Hurricane Katrina rebuilding projects.

2003: Touchdown Reception

In 2003, Drew Brees recorded a 21-yard touchdown reception on a pass thrown by LaDainian Tomlinson in the game against the Oakland Raiders.

2004: Franchise Player Designation

After the 2004 season, the Chargers designated Drew Brees as a franchise player, offering him a one-year contract.

2004: Breakout Season and Honors

In 2004, Drew Brees had a breakout season with the San Diego Chargers, earning him Pro Bowl and Comeback Player of the Year honors.

2005: Continued as Starting Quarterback

In 2005, Drew Brees continued as the starting quarterback for the Chargers under the terms of the franchise player contract.

March 14, 2006: Signed with the Saints

On March 14, 2006, Drew Brees signed a six-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints after the Miami Dolphins decided not to sign him due to concerns about his shoulder injury. The Dolphins traded for Daunte Culpepper instead. Nick Saban resigned from the Dolphins and left to coach for Alabama Crimson Tide because the Dolphins didn't sign Brees.

2006: Joining the Saints

In 2006, Drew Brees joined the New Orleans Saints, bringing new success to the franchise.

January 13, 2007: First Playoff Game for New Orleans

On January 13, 2007, in his first playoff game for New Orleans against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round, Drew Brees completed 20 of 32 passing attempts with one touchdown and no interceptions, leading the Saints to a 27-24 victory. They advanced to the NFC Championship Game. Brees dislocated his left elbow during the first quarter of the Pro Bowl.

2007: Partnership with Operation Kids

In 2007, Drew and Brittany Brees Dream Foundation partnered with Operation Kids to rebuild academic and athletic facilities in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

February 2008: Promotional Deal with Chili's

In February 2008, Drew Brees signed a promotional deal with Chili's Grill & Bar to promote their new line of hamburgers, which also helped raise money for charity.

June 2008: Pro Sports Team Challenge

In June 2008, Drew Brees participated in the Pro Sports Team Challenge to raise money for Operation Kids charity.

June 2009: Visit to Guantanamo Bay

In late June 2009, Drew Brees visited the Guantanamo Bay detention camp as part of a USO tour and stated that captives were being treated well.

2009: Saints' Super Bowl Winning Season

The Saints advanced to their first NFC Championship Game since their 2009 Super Bowl winning season.

February 7, 2010: Super Bowl XLIV Victory

On February 7, 2010, the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. Drew Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 pass completions and won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award. He threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first league championship in Saints franchise history.

June 2010: Appointment to President's Council

In June 2010, President Obama appointed Drew Brees as co-chair of the newly renamed President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

October 2010: It Gets Better Video

In October 2010, Drew Brees appeared in an It Gets Better video, delivering an anti-bullying message following suicides by gay teenagers.

2012: Brees's Season Performance and Records

In 2012, Drew Brees threw a career-high five interceptions against the Atlanta Falcons, ending his touchdown streak. He surpassed Peyton Manning's record with his seventh straight 4,000-yard passing season. Brees finished the season with 5,177 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, despite the Saints missing the playoffs.

2013: Successful Season with Multiple Achievements

In 2013, Drew Brees and the Saints started the season 5-0, with Brees earning multiple Offensive Player of the Week awards. He passed Warren Moon on the career passing yards list and reached the 50,000-yard club. Brees was named to his eighth Pro Bowl, and the Saints finished 11-5, losing in the Divisional Round.

2013: Saints Return to Playoffs

The Saints returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2013 season.

2014: Frustrating Season with Record Achievements

Drew Brees described the 2014 season as his "most frustrating", despite moving into fourth place in career passing yardage and becoming the NFL's all-time leader in completion percentage. He earned an Offensive Player of the Week award and extended his streak to seven straight seasons with at least 30 touchdown passes and nine straight seasons of 4,000 passing yards. The Saints finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs.

October 4, 2015: Brees's Overtime Touchdown and 400th Career Touchdown

On October 4, 2015, Drew Brees threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Spiller in overtime, securing a 26-20 victory for the Saints over the Dallas Cowboys. This was Brees's 400th career touchdown, making him the fifth and fastest player in NFL history to reach this milestone. He also completed his 5,000th pass with a touchdown to Josh Hill, marking the quickest regular-season overtime win in NFL history at 13 seconds.

November 1, 2015: Brees Ties NFL Record with Seven Touchdown Passes

On November 1, 2015, Drew Brees tied the NFL record for touchdown passes in a single game with seven during a 52-49 Saints' victory over the New York Giants. He completed 39-of-50 passes for 505 yards, recording his second career game with at least 500 passing yards and earning him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

2016: Record-Breaking Season and Pro Bowl Selection

Drew Brees led the league in passing yards with 5,208 in 2016, setting a new NFL record of 471 completions. Despite his performance, the Saints finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs. Brees was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl. He was later ranked 16th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

2016: Brees's Records and Team Struggles

In 2016, Drew Brees's streak of 45 consecutive games with a touchdown pass ended. He surpassed Dan Marino for fourth in career touchdown passes and reached the 60,000-yard milestone, achieving his 10th straight 4,000-yard season. Despite these achievements, the Saints finished with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs. He was ranked 30th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

2016: Brees Throws Career-High Touchdown Pass

In the Saints' 2016 season opener, Drew Brees threw a career-high 98-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks. He finished the game with 423 passing yards and four touchdown passes, tying him with Peyton Manning for the most 400-yard passing games in NFL history.

2017: Saints Division Titles

From 2017 to 2020, Drew Brees led the New Orleans Saints to four consecutive division titles.

2017: Brees Sets NFL Record for Completion Percentage

In 2017, Drew Brees set an NFL record for completion percentage (74.4%), breaking his previous record set in 2017. His streak of 12 consecutive seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards ended. He led the league in six fourth-quarter comebacks and seven game-winning drives.

March 13, 2018: Brees Signs Contract Extension

On March 13, 2018, Drew Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the Saints.

March 2019: Partnership with Walk-On's

In March 2019, Drew Brees partnered with Brandon Landry, co-founder of Walk-On's, to launch a new restaurant.

2019: 2019 NFL Season Summary

During the 2019 NFL season, Drew Brees played in 11 games, finishing with 2,979 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also achieved a completion percentage of 74.34% and set a record for most matchups against a starting quarterback in the Super Bowl era.

2019: Partnership with San Diego Surf Sports

In 2019, Drew Brees partnered with San Diego Surf Sports to help with the local youth sports scene in the San Diego area.

March 17, 2020: Contract Extension with the Saints

On March 17, 2020, Drew Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract extension with the New Orleans Saints.

July 2020: $5 Million Donation to Ochsner Health System

In July 2020, Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, donated $5 million through the Brees Dream Foundation to Ochsner Health System to build healthcare centers in Louisiana.

November 15, 2020: Rib Injury against 49ers

On November 15, 2020, Drew Brees left the Saints’ game against the San Francisco 49ers with a rib injury.

November 20, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve

On November 20, 2020, Drew Brees was placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least three games due to multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

December 19, 2020: Activation and Passing Record

On December 19, 2020, Drew Brees was activated after missing four games, and during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he surpassed Anthony Calvillo for first place in career passing yards in any professional outdoor gridiron football league.

2020: Retirement from NFL

After the 2020 season, Drew Brees retired from the NFL after 15 seasons in New Orleans.

2020: Saints Division Titles

From 2017 to 2020, Drew Brees led the New Orleans Saints to four consecutive division titles.

2020: NFL Top 100 Ranking and Pro Bowl Nomination

In 2020, Drew Brees was ranked 12th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list and earned his 13th career Pro Bowl nomination.

February 6, 2021: Contract Renegotiation

On February 6, 2021, the Saints renegotiated Drew Brees' contract, reducing his salary to $1.075 million.

March 14, 2021: Retirement Announcement

On March 14, 2021, Drew Brees announced his retirement after twenty seasons in the NFL.

June 11, 2021: Placed on Reserve/Retired List

On June 11, 2021, the Saints placed Drew Brees on their reserve/retired list.

2021: Hired by NBC Sports

In 2021, Drew Brees was hired by NBC Sports to serve as a color analyst for Notre Dame games and on Football Night in America.

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May 15, 2022: Departure from NBC Sports

On May 15, 2022, Drew Brees left NBC Sports after one season.

2022: Interim Assistant Coach at Purdue

In 2022, Drew Brees served as an interim assistant football coach with Purdue.

September 2025: Joins ESPN's First Take

In September 2025, Drew Brees signed with ESPN's First Take as a weekly contributor.