Drew Brees will join the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class on Aug. 8. His former New Orleans Saints coach, Sean Payton, will introduce him during the enshrinement ceremony. The event will be broadcast on NFL Network.
Payton accepted Brees' invitation tearfully. The current Denver Broncos coach will miss practice to attend the ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Several Broncos staff members who also worked with Brees in New Orleans will accompany him.
Brees retired after the 2020 season with 80,358 passing yards and 571 touchdown passes. He holds an NFL record with five 5,000-yard passing seasons.
He holds nearly every Saints quarterback record, including 68,010 passing yards and 491 touchdown passes with the franchise. Archie Manning ranks second in Saints history with 21,734 passing yards—more than three times fewer than Brees' franchise total.
The 2026 class also includes linebacker Luke Kuechly, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running back Roger Craig and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
