Drew Brees: Colin Kaepernick not being blackballed, Jay Cutler and Tony Romo may play again

Drew Brees might challenge Tom Brady for longevity, believes Colin Kaepernick has a potential long career ahead of him

Super Bowl MVP quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees will enter the 2017 season at 38 years old. Brees is technically under contract for three more years after the season, but will in all likelihood renegotiate a new deal with the Saints at the end of the year. Tom Brady is 39 and has been open about playing until his mid-40s. Does Brees want to play as long as Brady?

“Potentially. I know he plans to play a long, long time as well, Brees said. “Obviously, his mindset, the way he thinks about the future, there is some similarity to the way I’m approaching it.”

Brees has a chance to play that long. His durability to this point has been incredible, only two missed games since joining the Saints in 2006. Brees give sthe NFL credit for rule changes in recent years to make the game safer.

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“There are always slight tweaks and modifications,” Brees said. “How are we making the game safer while still maintaining the competitive balance of the game and the physicality? How can we keep that all balanced while keeping the players healthy is always the number one priority for the players?

“I think they do a good job of protecting us. We are in a vulnerable position. The rules are designed to protect us because we are not in a position to protect ourselves.”

Brees outlasted two more quarterbacks that came into the NFL after him, Tony Romo and Jay Cutler. He can now listen to both of them on TV when he is not playing. But who will be a better broadcaster is a toss up.

“I just find it interesting, quarterbacks typically do a very good job because of their level of knowledge of the game,” Brees said. “From what I know about Tony and Jay those guys have some personality. But, I wouldn’t completely rule out that both of those guys are gonna be playing back on the field at some point, maybe.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick just signed with Tampa Bay. Blaine Gabbert has a gig with Arizona. Colin Kaepernick is still a free agent, but Brees expects him to be on a roster soon.

“He is certainly good enough,” Brees said. “I don’t think it’s a situation where he is being blackballed. I’m sure there are offers being made to him. It’s just a matter of him choosing the right opportunity. He is still a young player with potentially a long career ahead of him. There is a lot to think about there, it’s just not where do I go for a year, just to bide some time.”

Would Kaepernick be welcomed on the Saints?

“Whatever decisions our team makes, those are in the best interest of the team, so if that was the case, then yeah, I would embrace it,” Brees said.

Brees is working with “The Heat Factor” trying to raise awareness for Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS), a severe form of heat illness. EHS is a dire condition that could put vital organs and the brain at risk of permanent damage, potentially even causing death in some extreme cases.