ESPN has been trying to find the right lineup for their Monday Night Football program since Jon Gruden’s departure but didn’t manage to find the proper fit so far. The network now decided to get creative, and reportedly started pursuing New Orleans Saints’ QB Drew Brees.
According to multiple reports, ESPN is trying to get Brees to join MNF once he retires from the NFL. ESPN is hoping this might happen as soon as next year and is willing to offer a $7 million per year contract to the 41-year-old. Reportedly, there are several other networks chasing Brees, including FOX and NBC, but ESPN remains the highest bidder.
Drew Brees signed a two-year, $50 million deal with the Saints this offseason, but 2020 could easily be his last year in the league. If Saints manage to win the Super Bowl, Brees will almost certainly retire, but if they come close and fail, there is a belief he might give it another try.
Despite his age and finger injury, Brees played very well last season, completing 74.3 percent of his passes for 2,979 yards and 27 touchdowns. Things didn’t work out well for the Saints in the playoffs, however, as they lost to Minnesota Vikings.
Besides Brees, ESPN pursued a number of other NFL legends in the attempt to fix their Monday Night Football problems. The network first tried to get former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos’ QB Peyton Manning, but the five-time NFL MVP rejected the offer. They also pursued former Dallas Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo, but he ended up staying with CBS on a record-breaking 10-year, $180 million deal.
