Tom Brady

Saints reportedly had free agent interest in Tom Brady

New Orleans viewed Brady as a possible replacement had Drew Brees retired.

Tom Brady Sean Payton
From 2015: Tom Brady and Sean Payton joke with Drew Brees, Luke McCown and golfer Bubba Watson in a Patriots-Saints joint practice. AP Photo/Steve Helber

Tom Brady facing the Saints was one of more anticipated games of Week 1 after the 43-year-old left the Patriots in the highest profile move of the offseason.

But had Drew Brees, 41, reached a different decision about his NFL future, it’s possible Brady would’ve entered the 2020 season walking out of the home locker room in New Orleans instead.

According to a report from ESPN reporters Jeff Darlington and Adam Schefter, the Saints had interest in Brady if New Orleans’ own quadragenarian quarterback had decided to retire.

“New Orleans’ wait to pursue Brady lasted until mid-March, shortly before Brees finally agreed to sign a two-year, $50 million deal on March 13,” the report stated.

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Brady, who signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers — the Saints’ NFC South divisional opponent — has a good relationship with New Orleans coach Sean Payton that includes a recent round of jokes involving Brady’s TB12 company prior to their matchup in the season opener.

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