Drew Brees talks Super Bowl in New Orleans, breaks down Chiefs vs. Eagles

The Tremendous Bowl is again in New Orleans, with an epic showdown between the Chiefs and Eagles set for Feb. 9 on the Superdome, and who higher to speak to concerning the large sport within the Large Simple than Drew Brees. The previous Saints quarterback is a surefire 2026 inductee to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame and gained a Tremendous Bowl himself with New Orleans in 2009. He took a couple of minutes to speak with FOX Sports activities about why the Tremendous Bowl is particular to New Orleans, this 12 months’s matchup and different NFL subjects.

FOX SPORTS: At the beginning, what does it imply to have the Tremendous Bowl again in New Orleans?

BREES: It is great. It is the eleventh time New Orleans is internet hosting the Tremendous Bowl, tied for essentially the most with Miami. And there is a purpose they hold going again to New Orleans, as a result of it is an amazing host metropolis. They know easy methods to throw a celebration. They know easy methods to present everyone a very good time, simply good outdated Southern hospitality.

New Orleans actually enjoys entertaining and it is so effectively located for it. When you consider that downtown New Orleans space with the French Quarter, the CBD (Central Enterprise District), the warehouse district, you have acquired the dome proper there, all of the hospitality, all of the inns, eating places, stay music. I imply, every thing is simply strolling distance. So that you actually simply drop down within the metropolis, and also you by no means have to leap in a automobile. You are simply strolling in every single place. And there is only a vibrancy and power that you simply simply really feel as you stroll round. Everyone seems to be so pleasant and so inviting. We love to indicate off our metropolis. We love to indicate off our tradition, and I feel it is one thing folks actually admire, and that is why they hold coming again to us.

[Prepare for the epic Eagles-Chiefs matchup on FOX Sports’ Super Bowl LIX hub]

FOX SPORTS: What number of Tremendous Bowls have you ever been to as a fan? Had been you there for the final one in New Orleans in 2013?

BREES: I used to be not within the stadium. I used to be a little bit upset after that season (during which the Saints went 7-9), so I made a decision to not go. Most Tremendous Bowls, I am there for occasions throughout the week, and I get residence to sit down on the sofa with my household and watch the sport. And a few of that’s out of frustration since you’re not taking part in within the sport, however I have been to fairly a couple of of the video games. I did go to a couple Tremendous Bowls whereas I used to be taking part in, simply because there have been groups that I felt like I may get some type of strategic benefit by watching them in particular person. However this one I will probably be at, because the Chiefs attempt to make historical past and the Eagles attempt to stop them from making historical past — and get some revenge from two years in the past.

FOX SPORTS: You gained the one Tremendous Bowl you performed in, so that you have been environment friendly that approach. You’ve got acquired Patrick Mahomes going for his fourth title and an unprecedented third in a row. You’ve got acquired Jalen Hurts going through the identical workforce for the second time in three years, nonetheless attempting to get his first title. Who has extra stress on him?

BREES: You possibly can say the Chiefs have been carrying this quote-unquote stress for the entire season. I feel I converse for everyone who actually is aware of the sport and is simply in awe of what the Chiefs have been in a position to accomplish. Although, like, really, at instances this 12 months, they did not look nice. They positively seemed like that they had some deficiencies they usually weren’t as environment friendly as you’d have anticipated them to be, and but, they completed the season 16-1. It is each week you are saying, “What’s unsuitable with the Chiefs? What’s unsuitable with the Chiefs? What’s unsuitable with the Chiefs?” And so they’re 16-1, proper? Effectively, I do not care what’s unsuitable. They’re determining methods to win. They acquired championship DNA, like, if there is a second on the finish of that sport the place they’ve an opportunity to make a play, likelihood is they’ll make that play.

It is actually arduous to guess towards the Chiefs. I’d say this, although, the Eagles look unstoppable on offense proper now. I do not see the way you deal with Saquon Barkley. They’re so good up entrance. And then you definately acquired Jalen Hurts, who’s a menace to run the ball always, so he nearly turns into like an additional blocker within the run sport. So, inevitably, you have acquired Saquon one-on-one with any person within the open discipline, and good luck to you. After which defensively, they’re actually, actually stout too. And so they have the motivation of getting misplaced going toe-to-toe with the Chiefs two years in the past and simply barely shedding that sport, 38-35. So, there’s an edge there. And I am certain a little bit little bit of like, “Hey, we have got nothing to lose. The Chiefs have the stress on them, not us.”

Is Saquon Barkley unstoppable?

FOX SPORTS: Stepping away from the sport for a second, there are such a lot of younger quarterbacks, first- and second-year guys within the league. Is there one that you’ve got taken a liking to or one that you’ve got actually been impressed essentially the most by up to now 12 months or two?

BREES: This 12 months, the season that Jayden Daniels had was actually phenomenal. There is a poise and a composure that is past his years when you consider simply being a rookie quarterback. That run that they went on was largely on account of his play-making potential and management and the way in which that every one these guys believed in him. And Bo Nix, down the stretch with Denver. I imply, golly, they have been sizzling, and he was taking part in extraordinarily effectively with Sean Payton. These have been the first-year guys that jumped out to me.

However then I take into consideration all of the quarterbacks within the league which can be of their sixth 12 months or much less. You recognize, Joe Burrow and C.J. Stroud, and Bryce Young overcoming the early adversity this 12 months and ending the 12 months the way in which that he did. I imply, the longer term is so brilliant with these younger quarterbacks. They’re a lot enjoyable to observe. They’re so dynamic. I feel the league’s in good fingers proper now with these younger QBs.

FOX SPORTS: With all eyes on New Orleans now, the Saints are the one workforce but to rent a coach. What do you consider that job and that state of affairs, and what does the workforce have to do to get again to the place they have been if you have been there?

BREES: Sadly for them this 12 months, they have been simply decimated by harm. I feel all of us noticed what the Saints may very well be after they have been wholesome. First two weeks, they have been world-beaters, proper? Then impulsively, you lose a receiver, you lose one other receiver, you lose inside linemen, you lose Taysom Hill, you lose Alvin Kamara. You lose the quarterback. That is robust sledding. I feel they nonetheless have nice core items in place to make a run at it. Look, I feel the division is wide-open as effectively. It isn’t just like the NFC South has been setting the world on fireplace, proper? I feel 9 wins has gained that division right here the final final couple years.

It is a quarterback-driven league, so I feel you have to just be sure you have an offensive system in place and a coach who jells with Derek Carr, and is ready to put him able the place he will be at his best. That dictates loads of what occurs with the remainder of the workforce and the vibe. Defensively, I feel we have at all times had nice management, and I really feel like we have been a top-10 protection for the final most likely eight years in a row. Sadly, these guys have been put in some actually robust spots final 12 months with all of the accidents.

So I feel the core items are in place. You simply discover a coach who can actually put a tradition and a basis and accountability in place, and clearly methods that match the strengths of the gamers. I feel you have acquired an amazing group of leaders, proceed so as to add to that via free company after which the draft.

FOX SPORTS: For folks going to New Orleans for the massive sport, you are working with On Location, which has premium packages for followers seeking to get into the sport and revel in some occasions across the sport as effectively.

BREES: This can be a lot of enjoyable. On Location is placing collectively a ton of actually distinctive experiences in New Orleans. They’re the official hospitality supplier for the NFL for Tremendous Bowl 59 in New Orleans. So they have an enormous “Style of New Orleans” occasion, the place they’re bringing a bunch of cooks collectively, a bunch of flavors collectively, a enjoyable occasion on the Superdome previous to the sport and giving followers a singular peek backstage to Tremendous Bowl 59 within the Superdome earlier than the fireworks start. I’ll be at a bunch of various occasions for On Location all through the week, interacting with followers, simply having a very good time. So for anyone who needs to study extra about that and doubtlessly be part of a few of these occasions, they will go to OnLocationExp.com.

FOX SPORTS: Last item I need to ask you about is Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, who was a rookie with the Saints your final 12 months within the league. What do you bear in mind about him and what’s it prefer to see how he has emerged for the Eagles this season?

BREES: I have been actually excited for Zack, and I feel he is an unimaginable story, and actually one that ought to garner a ton of inspiration for lots of younger gamers. You recognize, right here was a man who got here in, third-round decide with the Saints, primarily a particular groups participant from Wisconsin. We had an amazing core group of fellows in place on the linebacker place, however for him, it was like, “Hey, I’ll do no matter I can to assist this workforce. I’ll study from these guys. I’ll reap the benefits of each alternative I get.”

After which he will get the chance to go as much as Philadelphia, and subsequent factor you recognize, he is All-Professional and has been an enormous a part of their success on protection. These are the fellows you root for. I imply, I am so blissful for him. He is earned each little bit of it. He deserves it. I feel it is simply one other lesson for younger guys that it is all about getting in the appropriate state of affairs and absorbing each ounce of knowledge and knowledge you possibly can from the fellows that you’ve an opportunity to play with, after which simply being prepared to your alternative. When your alternative comes, man, profit from it.

Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade protecting the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Instances and The Athletic. You may observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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