Overview
- The outreach followed Bo Nix’s fractured ankle on Jan. 17, when Broncos assistants Joe Lombardi and Pete Carmichael contacted Hall of Famer Drew Brees about replacing Nix for the AFC Championship.
- Brees agreed to test his arm at a nearby field and quickly felt wrist and shoulder discomfort that limited his velocity and led him to decline a comeback.
- Head coach Sean Payton said he was unaware of the assistants’ outreach and learned about the discussions only in the offseason.
- Denver started backup Jarrett Stidham in the AFC Championship and lost 10-7 to New England, a result that left speculation about a Brees return academic.
- Had Brees returned it would have raised roster, waiver and Hall of Fame eligibility issues, and the episode highlights how emergency veteran recruitment can collide with internal team processes and legacy concerns.