It is the question that literally never dies in the 504. Every time the New Orleans Saints hit a rough patch—which, honestly, has been more often than not lately—the conversation shifts to Number 9. Fans start scrolling through Instagram, looking for any hint that Drew Brees might be trading his tailored suits for a headset.
The phrase drew brees saints coach has become a sort of urban legend in Louisiana. It’s the sports equivalent of "in case of emergency, break glass." People want it. They crave that 2009 magic. But if you’re looking for a press release announcing him as the new offensive coordinator, you’re going to be waiting a while.
Right now, as we move through 2026, the reality is much more complicated than a simple career change.
The Coaching Itch: Did Drew Brees Ever Actually Coach?
Technically, yes. But probably not where you think.
Back in late 2022, Brees actually did jump into the coaching ranks, but it was a homecoming for his alma mater, Purdue. He served as an interim assistant coach for the Citrus Bowl. It was a short-term "helping out a friend" kind of deal. He was out there on the recruiting trail, wearing the whistle, and looking every bit the part of a future Hall of Fame coach.
But the NFL is a different beast.
When he retired from the Saints in 2021, he didn't head for the sidelines. He headed for the broadcast booth with NBC. That didn't last forever, and since then, he’s been more focused on his massive portfolio of business interests—Walk-On’s, Smalls Sliders, and about a dozen other things.
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The idea of Brees becoming an actual drew brees saints coach in a full-time capacity has always been more of a fan-driven dream than a front-office reality. In early 2025, after the Saints moved on from Dennis Allen, Brees was asked point-blank about a return. His response? "It's in my blood... I'm always going to be a Saint."
Notice he didn't say, "I'm looking for a whistle."
Why the Saints Rumors Won't Stop
Let's be real for a second. The Saints have struggled to find an identity since the Sean Payton and Drew Brees era ended. When you have a decade and a half of elite, top-tier offensive production, anything less feels like a disaster.
Fans see Kellen Moore taking over as head coach and they immediately wonder if he’ll bring "the guy" back into the fold. It's natural. Brees has even publicly praised the Moore hire, which just fuels the fire.
The biggest reason these rumors persist is the "consultant" loophole. You don't have to be the Head Coach to be a coach. There has been constant chatter about Brees taking on a "Senior Offensive Consultant" role. Basically, he’d show up, look at some film, talk to the quarterbacks, and then go home to his kids.
That’s the version of drew brees saints coach that actually makes sense.
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The Hall of Fame Factor
There's another massive thing happening right now: The Class of 2026.
Drew Brees is officially a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s his first year of eligibility. Most experts (and basically anyone with eyes) consider him a first-ballot lock. When you’re second all-time in passing yards (80,358) and touchdowns (571), they usually have the gold jacket waiting at the door.
Being a "coach" while preparing for a Hall of Fame induction is a lot. Coaching in the NFL isn't a 9-to-5. It’s a 5-to-midnight.
- The Schedule: NFL coaches famously sleep in their offices. Brees has young kids.
- The Legacy: If he comes back and the offense stinks, does it tarnish the legend? (Probably not, but he’s a perfectionist).
- The Money: He doesn't need the paycheck. He’s doing just fine with his franchise empires.
What Brees Has Actually Said
If you listen to his interviews on WWL or his podcast appearances, he’s very careful with his words. He loves the city. He loves the team. But he also loves being a dad.
He’s spent time coaching his sons’ flag football teams. In a way, he is a coach. Just not the one the Superdome is screaming for. He's mentioned that the "grind" of the NFL season is something he doesn't necessarily miss as much as the competition itself.
What This Means for the Saints' Future
So, is the drew brees saints coach era ever going to happen?
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If it does, it won't look like the Sean Payton era. It’ll likely be a slow burn. Maybe he starts as a training camp guest. Maybe he helps out during the offseason program.
The Saints' current leadership, including GM Mickey Loomis, has always left the door open. They’d be crazy not to. But right now, the focus in New Orleans is on Kellen Moore and trying to get the roster back into playoff contention without relying on a ghost from the past.
Honestly, the most likely scenario for 2026 is seeing Brees on the field for his Hall of Fame ring ceremony, not holding a play sheet on 3rd-and-long.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the 2026 Hall of Fame Announcements: Brees is expected to be the headliner. His induction speech will likely give the clearest indication of his future plans with the Saints organization.
- Watch the "Consultant" Hires: Keep an eye on the official Saints coaching staff directory. If Brees' name appears, it will almost certainly be in an "Advisory" or "Consultant" capacity rather than a position coach.
- Follow the Business Moves: Brees' commitment to his New Orleans-based businesses suggests he will always be physically present in the city, making a "guest coach" role during training camp highly plausible.
Moving forward, stop looking for Brees to be the savior on the sidelines and start appreciating the legacy he’s currently building as the city’s greatest ambassador. The headset can wait; the gold jacket cannot.