According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post , New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will work for NBC Sports as a broadcaster after his playing career is over. Brees signed a deal with NBC after also receiving interest from ESPN.
Earlier this offseason , Brees, 41, signed a two-year, $50 million extension with New Orleans , but could retire after the 2020 season. Once he does retire, Marchand reports, he’ll begin being groomed as Cris Collinsworth’s replacement as NBC’s main NFL color commentator.
Chris Collinsworth and Al Michaels (play-by-play) currently call NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” games but NBC appears to have a succession plan in place for the famed duo. After the 2022 Super Bowl, the plan is to have Mike Tirico take over full-time for Michaels in the play-by-play role, with Collinsworth’s role now a bit in doubt that Brees has signed on.
Brees will begin his NBC career as an analyst on Notre Dame football coverage and as a studio analyst for the Sunday coverage. He also received strong interest from ESPN, who is looking to change its “Monday Night Football” coverage after being widely criticized for the Joe Tessitore/Booger McFarland booth last year.