Drew Brees' Contract In 2020 Could Give New Orleans Saints Quarterback Most Career NFL Earnings

Drew Brees announced on Instagram Tuesday that he will return to the New Orleans Saints for the 2020 NFL season. That means the quarterback is set to move up in the record books both on and off the field.

Brees, 41, is first among active NFL players and third all-time with $244.7 million in career earnings. He’s fewer than $7.6 million behind Eli Manning for the top spot. Brees is virtually guaranteed to pass the recently retired New York Giants quarterback.

Tom Brady has made $235.5 million in his 20-year career. The six-time Super Bowl champion has a chance to surpass Brees in career earnings, though he would need to earn a significantly higher salary next season.

Brady is expected to test free agency for the first time in March. The New England Patriots are reportedly willing to pay the quarterback at least $30 million per season. The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly prepared to offer Brady $60 million over two years.

It’s unknown exactly what kind of contract Brees will sign with the Saints. He agreed to a two-year, $50 million deal with New Orleans before the 2018 season.

Even in his age-40 season, Brees was among the NFL’s best quarterbacks in 2019. He had a career-high 116.3 passer rating in 11 starts, missing five games with a thumb injury. Brees led the NFL by completing 74.3% of his passes and throwing 6.75 touchdowns for every interception.

Brees has had the NFL’s highest completion percentage in three straight seasons.

Brees is the all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. Brady is second in each category.

Saints quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill are both unsigned for next season. At least one of the signal callers is likely to sign elsewhere in free agency.

New Orleans won the NFC South with a 13-3 record before being upset in the wild-card round of the 2020 playoffs.