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There will come a day when Drew Brees is no longer the quarterback of the New Orleans Saints.

With the 2014 season mercifully over after the Saints edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20, at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, it means there's one less season for Brees to guide the Saints to a second Super Bowl trophy.

The Saints unabashedly proclaim themselves as contenders with Brees at the helm. His ability and record-breaking statistics support the notion. And when Brees ends his time with the Saints, there will certainly be a letdown, as not every team can replace a Peyton Manning with an Andrew Luck.

Finishing a season 7-9 with a less established, less respected, less talented quarterback doesn't sting nearly as much as finishing 7-9 with one of the all-time greats still seemingly playing at a Pro Bowl level.

A 7-9 season with someone such as the Bears' Jay Cutler under center isn't unexpected. A 7-9 season with Brees and Sean Payton together hasn't happened since 2007.

A season with Brees at quarterback can't be squandered. But Brees and the Saints did so in 2014.

"That's a wasted opportunity for sure," said tackle Zach Strief, who, like Brees, came to New Orleans in 2006. "He was not always given everything around him to be successful. He takes a lot of that criticism. And when everyone around him is playing well, he gets the credit and deserves that credit.

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joker-saint

Who do we need to put as his back up? Does Griffin step up and lead the team, or do the saints explore free agency? Colt McCoy, Jake locker, Matt Flynn? Flynn would be a good choice, but comes with a 1 million plus cap hit for 2014. In curious to see what happens. We definitely need to start considering a new quarterback. Hopefully brees can finish out his contract with a couple more championships before he retires but honestly with the way he's been playing be seems like he's reaching his end.

Foot Stomper

I am not sure Drew is a top 5 QB anymore. Heck I am not even sure he is the top NFCS QB at this point. The INT's just burned me out this year. Heck the Buc's were throwing the game and Drew almost single handedly screwed that up with his interceptions.

We are stuck with him so hopefully he bounces back next year.

Audiotom

2014 - lots of hype, little desire

I do not want to see that again

the window is closing rapidly

2011 was the season, so close

dizzle88

He does tend to make very idiotic decisions sometimes

The 3rd pick he had absolutely no pressure on him, he threw straight into triple coverage

Teams like the lions and ravens capitalised on his stupid decisions.

Beastmode

Our best two receiving options are in the top 15 in drops. No QB can fix that issue.

Mardigras9

Brees did tie for third with number of INTs thrown this year. Several were bad throws, no doubt, the majority were under pressure and trying to make something happen though.
On the plus side Brees ranked 6th on the list for overall QB rating, he is still on his game.

WhoDat!656

I am going to try and respond to this drivel!

By any comparison Brees is a Top 5 QB and he is light years better than any other QB that has EVER played in the NFC South.

lumm0x

We have to treat this year just like 2007. A major disappointment and a stepping stop to elevate our game. Everyone needs a gut check this offseason and return with a vengeance.

captainshawn

Drew's average int's since joining the Saints is 15.7. This year he threw 17.
That's not much of an increase considering the pressure he's been under.