Drew Brees Praises Saints' Payton and Loomis After Hall of Fame Induction

Legendary QB credits his former coach and GM for believing in him and helping him become one of the NFL's all-time greats.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 2:55am

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Drew Brees, who was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, heaped praise on New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis for believing in him and helping him become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Brees credits Payton and Loomis for taking a chance on him after he suffered a shoulder injury with the San Diego Chargers, which allowed him to revive his career and lead the Saints to a Super Bowl championship.

Why it matters

Brees' induction into the Hall of Fame is a testament to the impact that great coaching and front office leadership can have on a player's career. The Saints' decision to sign Brees in 2006 not only helped him reach new heights, but it also provided hope and inspiration to a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Brees' success in New Orleans is considered one of the great sports stories of the 21st century.

The details

After being drafted by the Chargers in 2001, Brees struggled with inconsistency and accuracy early in his career. His breakout 2004-05 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that put his future in doubt. However, the Saints saw potential in Brees and signed him as a free agent in 2006, despite the injury concerns. Under the guidance of head coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis, Brees blossomed into one of the NFL's all-time great quarterbacks, leading the Saints to a Super Bowl championship in 2010 and setting numerous passing records over his 15-year tenure with the team.

  • Brees was drafted by the Chargers in 2001.
  • Brees suffered a shoulder injury after a breakout 2004-05 season.
  • Brees signed with the Saints as a free agent in 2006.
  • The Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010 with Brees as their quarterback.
  • Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.

The players

Drew Brees

A legendary NFL quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the New Orleans Saints, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship and setting numerous passing records.

Sean Payton

The head coach of the New Orleans Saints during Brees' tenure, who helped guide the team to success and believed in Brees when others doubted him.

Mickey Loomis

The general manager of the New Orleans Saints, who made the decision to sign Brees as a free agent in 2006 and helped build the team around him.

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What they’re saying

“None of this is possible without Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis. Believing in me at a time when it was kind of hard for me to believe in myself, coming off that injury. But it was those guys who saw something in me, believed in me, and then equipped and empowered me to be the best that I could be. Without that confidence and without that belief in me, this wouldn't have happened.”

— Drew Brees (Saints' official X account)

“I know New Orleans was looking for a quarterback then, but I promise you I needed New Orleans more than New Orleans needed me. I had the chance to be part of something so special that most guys don't get a chance to be a part of.”

— Drew Brees (Saints' official X account)

What’s next

Brees will be formally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer, where he is expected to give a heartfelt tribute to Payton and Loomis for their role in his success.

The takeaway

Drew Brees' Hall of Fame induction is a powerful reminder of the importance of strong leadership and belief in a player's potential, even when others may doubt them. The partnership between Brees, Payton, and Loomis not only revived Brees' career but also provided hope and inspiration to the city of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, cementing Brees' legacy as one of the greatest players and leaders in NFL history.