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Drew Brees Says Right Shoulder Rules Out NFL Comeback

Brees says past shoulder surgery has left his right arm too limited for competitive play.

Overview

  • Brees told the Bussin' With The Boys podcast on Friday that he no longer throws with his right arm and now throws left-handed for casual catch.
  • He attributed the change to long-term damage from a 2005 shoulder dislocation and surgery and said he could place throws mentally but can’t reliably get them there physically.
  • Those comments effectively shut down recent speculation that he might follow Philip Rivers’ 2026 return to briefly resume playing.
  • Brees, who retired after the 2020 season, remains active in broadcasting and will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in August.
  • His announcement frames his legacy as a 20-year, high-volume passer with more than 10,500 attempts, about 80,358 yards and 571 touchdowns and signals a permanent shift from player to media and Hall of Fame figure.