NFL News: Saints' Drew Brees Feels 'Borderline Great' Amid Talk Of Decline

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees insists he's feeling "good" amid talk that he exhibited signs of decline in the first two weeks of the 2020 NFL season.

"I feel good," the 41-year-old said Wednesday, Sept. 23, two days after the Saints' 34-24 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN reported. "I feel good, borderline great."

Speculation that age may finally be catching up to Brees surfaced after the future Hall of Famer appeared to struggle in his first two starts of the season. Looking at the numbers, it is evident that Brees' performance hasn't been up to his usual standard, ESPN noted.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Brees is currently averaging 4.82 air yards per attempt, the lowest of any quarterback through two games since Brett Favre’s 2009 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

But he is not losing any sleep over this, saying, "You know one of the statistics that was thrown out after the game was the yards per attempt or something like that. There are many statistics I do not pay one bit of attention to -- and that would be one of them."

With numbers being the least of his concerns, Brees underlined that his primary role for New Orleans is to put the team in the best position to win.

"At the end of the day, I am focused on putting us in position to succeed, making great decisions, both in the run game or pass game, whatever is predicated on my ability to get us in the best play ... Those are the things I'm focused on, and I don't care how we do it. I honestly don't. I just want to win football games," he continued.

Brees also shrugged off speculation that his performance is in decline on Monday, Sept. 21, saying (via ESPN), "Well, my job is to execute the offense. ... My job's not to have the most air yards or throw the ball down the field most or anything like that."

The Saints split their first pair of assignments, winning against the Buccaneers in the first week before dropping to the Raiders.

Brees’ struggles, particularly during the last game, could be attributed to the absence of All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, who became the league's single-season reception record holder last season with 149 catches.

But the veteran quarterback remains optimistic that his and his team's system will help them bounce back soon.

"I'm confident with the guys we have and the system we have that we're gonna get back on track," Brees said.

New Orleans Saints is scheduled for a Sunday night encounter against the surging Green Bay Packers next at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.