Payton back at work, unsure if Brees plays beyond 2020

Saints coach Sean Payton said he didn’t mean to insinuate on a television appearance that record-setting quarterback Drew Brees informed him of plans to retire after upcoming season. “I’m a big dummy,” Payton said Wednesday during a conference call with media in New Orleans. “I honestly don’t kw if it’s his last year. I think thing he’s done, and we’ve all done, is taking it year by year.”

Brees, 41, is entering his 20th season. Shortly before becoming a free nt in March, Brees signed a two-year, $50 million contract to remain with club he joined in 2006.

On Tuesday, Payton was being interviewed on ESPN when he mentioned Saints had a “unique” quarterback situation because Brees was coming back for a “final season.” He clarified on Wednesday he really meant to convey idea that Saints can’t really kw for sure if Brees will keep playing in 2021 until NFL’s all-time leader in yards passing, completions and touchdowns passing makes that call himself.

“Probably, in my mind, it really started with idea that this year was unique in that he spent some time thinking about, ‘Hey, am I ready to come back for ar season?’” Payton said. “So before we deal with year after this season, I kw focal point for us will be this season.”

Brees has said repeatedly during past few years that at his , he believes it is best to re-evaluate his desire to continue playing after each season.

Payton, meanwhile, has ended his quarantine after recovering from coronavirus and w goes to work at sprawling new Dixie Brewery in an industrial section of eastern New Orleans.

Having addressed defensive and offensive lines, secondary and receiver position in free ncy, Payton said club’s focus is turning toward draft.

“re’s still a handful of things we’re looking at relative to eir kicking game. Interior offensive linemen is something we’ll pay close attention to; we think this draft has got some really good options re,” Payton said. “Obviously re’s lot of receivers in this draft. From a secondary standpoint, we’ll pay close attention to corner market and n I would say also at linebacker.”

Saints also are keeping a close eye on quarterbacks. Because of reserve QB Taysom Hill’s unconventional role as a change-of-pace utility player who does everything from read-option runs to lining up as a tight end or playing special teams, Payton said club will need a third QB. While that is most likely to be a veteran, Saints aren’t ruling out rookies.

Payton said club recently conducted a video conference with Utah State QB Jordan Love, whom Payton predicted would be taken in first two rounds of draft, which begins April 23.

“We’re t saying it has to be a veteran player. It will be best available player that we feel like fits our program,” Payton said. “But kw with what want to do with Taysom, that we’re going to have t only a third quarterback, but that quarterback is going to be up on game day.”

brewery, owned by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, is closed to rmal operations, Payton said. But coach, general manr Mickey Loomis, college scouting director Jeff Ireland and a few or staffers have set up in an expansive room where y can keep ir distance from one ar and communicate with area scouts through video conferences.

“We’re using all (Center for Disease Control) guidelines,” Payton said, ting, for example, that one enters room without taking ir temperature. “re’s plenty of . I’m kind of like guy y all want to sit away from, and I’m like, ‘Look, I’m safest guy in room.’”

Payton said with video conferencing, some meetings involve around 20 people, even though more than seven people are in draft room.

After bringing back Brees, defensive tackle David Onyemata and left guard Andrus Peat — who were all due to become free nts — Saints added Philadelphia safety Malcolm Jenkins, San Francisco receiver Emmanuel Sanders and fullback Michael Burton. Saints also made a first-round tender to Hill, a restricted free nt, meaning Saints would get a first-round draft choice if y declined to match any offer Hill received from ar team.

Among players to leave Saints in free ncy were cornerback Eli Apple, reserve QB Teddy Bridgewater and linebacker A.J. Klein.