NEW ORLEANS — With first-ballot Hall-of-Famer Drew Brees closing the door on his record-breaking playing days, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback announced Monday on TODAY that he’s joining NBC Sports as an analyst.
The recently turned 42-year-old (Jan 15) has been linked to NBC Sports for more than a year now, with Brees rumored to replace longtime color analyst and former Cincinnati Bengal Chris Collingsworth on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
The transition from quarterback to commentator is something John Curtis Christian head coach and WGNO Friday Night Football co-host J.T. Curtis feels will be effortless for the NFL’s all-time leading passer.
“I don’t think he will have a big adjustment,” said Curtis. “He’s a bright guy. He’s a guy who’s intense in his work. He is going to approach television just like he approached the game – totally prepared and totally focused on what he’s got to do.
“He has a great deal of pride in making sure he is the best at what he does. He’ll do the same in broadcasting.”
Swapping the helmet for a headset is nothing new for retiring gridiron greats. Below is a gallery of those that have successfully made the move into the broadcast booth.
Merlin Olsen, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Rams (AP Photo/NFL Photos) 
Merlin Olsen, Commentator, NBC and CBS (AP Photo/Steve Pope) 
Don Meredith, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys (AP Photo) 
Don Meredith, Commentator, ABC Monday Night Football (AP Photo/David F. Smith) 
Dan Dierdorf, Offensive Tackle, St. Louis Cardinals (AP Photo) 
Dan Dierdorf, Commentator, ABC Monday Night Football (AP Photo/Beth A. Keiser) 
Chris Collingsworth, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals (AP Photo/David Kohl) 
Chris Collingsworth, Commentator, NBC Sunday Night Football (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) 
Phil Simms, Quarterback, New York Giants (AP Photo/File) 
Phils Simms, Commentator, ESPN, NBC and CBS (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) 
James Lofton, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers (AP Photo/Bill Haber) 
James Lofton, Commentator, CBS (Photo/Steve Yeater/AP Images for Sirius XM) 
Troy Aikman, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) 
Troy Aikman, Commentator, Fox Sports (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) 
Daryl Johnston, Fullback, Dallas Cowboys (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) 
Daryl Johnston, Commentator, Fox Sports (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) 
Kurt Warner, Quarterback, St. Louis Rams (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File) 
Kurt Warner, Commentator, NFL Network (AP Photo/Scott Kane) 
Tony Romo, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) 
Tony Romo, Commentator, CBS Sports (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
