Overview
- After Bo Nix fractured his ankle on Jan. 17, 2026, Broncos assistants Joe Lombardi and Pete Carmichael privately reached out to Hall of Famer Drew Brees about coming out of retirement for the AFC Championship.
- Brees tested his arm in a private workout, experienced wrist and shoulder discomfort, and declined to unretire once he realized he lacked the necessary throwing velocity.
- Sean Payton said he was not told about the assistants’ outreach until the offseason and described himself as the 'odd man out' on the conversations.
- Practical obstacles would have blocked a mid‑playoffs switch because Brees remained on the Saints’ reserve‑retired list, a late return would have required roster moves and waivers, and activating him normally would have reset Hall of Fame eligibility timing.
- No formal league action or Saints grievance has been reported and current coverage is focused on the factual sequence, the medical reality of Brees’ condition, and questions about staff protocol and potential tampering that could prompt further review.