Jan 17, 2021; Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) after a Divisional Round playoff game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. © Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady: Drew Brees an incredible player and competitor

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/18/21

Tom Brady and Drew Brees might have met for the final time in their Hall of Fame careers on Sunday night when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-20 at the Superdome to move onto the NFC Championship game.

Brees exited the field, waving to a limited number of fans in attendance, making it seem like it was his final game in the NFL. Meanwhile, Brady remained on the turf for a postgame interview with FOX's Erin Andrews. He wouldn't say whether or not Brees was definitely retiring, but he lauded the QB for his historic career.

"I'll leave that up to him to think about that but I think so much of him as a player, person everything. I know him pretty well and he's an incredible player and competitor," Brady told Andrews.

"Aaron's been playing incredible, so we're going to have to be great to beat him." @TomBrady kept it honest with @ErinAndrews looking ahead to the @Buccaneers trip to Lambeau next week! pic.twitter.com/3AyQugR7Cr
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 18, 2021

Brees and Brady also shared a special moment long after the game was over, capped off by TB12 tossing a touchdown pass to one of Brees' children.

As Tom Brady and Drew Brees hug and say goodbye after a long talk on the field, Brady throws a touchdown pass to Brees’ son. One walks off to play in the NFC championship, the other stays to play with his kids. pic.twitter.com/wdWDro9YD4
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 18, 2021

Before Sunday's matchup, multiple reports stated that Brees had plans to retire after the 2020 season. However, the veteran quarterback told reporters after the game that he would take his time to reach a decision regarding his future.

If Brees truly does retire, he'll go out as the all-time leader in passing yards ((80,358) and second all-time in passing touchdowns (571). The 42-year-old is a Super Bowl champion, 13-time Pro Bowler and two-time Offensive Player of the Year.

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