Drew Brees Nearly Came Out of Retirement for Broncos in AFC Championship Game

The Denver Broncos were one of the biggest storylines of last season, putting together a 14-3 campaign and ultimately making a deep playoff push. But after Bo Nix fractured his ankle late in Denver's divisional-round victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Ahead of the Broncos' season opener Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, news broke that Denver actually reached out to Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees about potentially coming out of retirement for the AFC Championship Game.

And according to reports, Brees actually considered it. The 47-year-old wanted to work out and see how his body responded before making a decision, but discomfort in his throwing wrist ultimately ended the possibility of it going any further.

Familiarity With Coaching Staff Made Brees an Option

Then-offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and offensive assistant Pete Carmichael were the two coaches who initially approached Brees. Interestingly enough, it wasn't Sean Payton who was driving those conversations, who coached Brees in New Orleans during the peak of both of their careers.

But both Lombardi and Carmichael also had extensive history with Brees from their time together in New Orleans as well, which made the idea much more feasible than simply reaching out to a random retired quarterback. It would've been a short turnaround for Brees to prepare for an AFC Championship Game after five years away from the NFL, but the Broncos were desperate without Nix.

Broncos Ultimately Fell Short Without Brees

Since Brees ultimately didn't join the roster, it was Stidham who started against the New England Patriots with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line. Denver lost 10-7 in a snowy AFC Championship Game, with Stidham completing 17 of 31 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown and one interception while also losing a fumble.

And it became one of the biggest what-ifs of last season. If Nix hadn't gotten hurt, how far could this team have gone? Brees retired in 2021 and hadn't taken an NFL snap in five years, but this becomes one of those retroactive storylines that would've been one of the biggest events in modern NFL history.