Drew Brees talks FOX debut ahead of Packers vs. Giants
Drew Brees discusses his FOX debut and what fans can expect as he calls Sunday’s Packers–Giants game.
- Drew Brees is returning to the broadcast booth to call NFL games for FOX.
- He is replacing Mark Sanchez and will be paired with play-by-play announcer Adam Amin.
- This marks his first full-time game-calling role since his previous broadcasting stint three years ago.
Three years ago, Drew Brees said he felt like he could be one of the best NFL broadcasters out there – even if the Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Fame quarterback’s first go-round in the booth wasn’t a success.
When asked if he still felt that way, Brees left no doubt.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Brees recently told USA TODAY Sports. “I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t. It’s not just to scratch an itch. This is – look, I love the game, I’m passionate about the game, I feel like I’ve got so much to offer.”
Brees is calling NFL games full-time for the first time as of Week 11’s contest between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants, as the newest cast member of the NFL on Fox’s announcing team. He is replacing Mark Sanchez – booted following his arrest in a stabbing incident in Indianapolis earlier this season – on the roster and will call games alongside play-by-play man Adam Amin.
As Brees surveyed the NFL media landscape, he realized he wanted to be calling games. He did studio work for Netflix during last season’s Christmas Day games and has done the same for Fox and ESPN, with appearances on shows such as “First Take” and “Get Up.”
Brees said his positive relationships with all of the network’s broadcast partners date back to his time as a player.
Preparing to call a game, however, reminds the two-time Offensive Player of the Year of what it was like to study an opponent and play them on Sunday. His goal is not original among broadcasters: he wants to be fun and insightful.
“For me, it was about the right opportunity with the right group and would help accentuate my strengths and the area where I can bring the most value,” said Brees, who noted FOX’s locker-room like atmosphere within its NFL crew and said the network supports its talent in an authentic way.
Brees immediately jumped into broadcasting with NBC after his playing career ended following the 2020 season. He called Notre Dame home games and also appeared on the “Sunday Night Football” pregame show, “Football Night In America.”
The multi-year contract ended after one season, amid negative reviews for Brees during his call of a NFL playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders. It was the second NFL game he called and being on the FOX schedule every week will take his broadcasting chops to the next level, Brees hopes.
“I think what’s important in broadcasting is that you get into a rhythm, and that it’s week-to-week, and you learn and you grow and you develop and mature so much,” he said.
Where Brees wants to separate himself from other broadcasters, he said, is leveraging his relationships with coaches and players across the NFL. Highlighting the problem-solving component each quarterback faces on every play is another aspect of the game Brees wants to highlight. That information will hopefully translate to a better viewing experience for the fans watching – and listening.
“I’m excited about getting back in the booth,” Brees said, “and getting with the fans.”
