Report: Saints' Drew Brees Targeted by ESPN for MNF Role After He Retires

ESPN's isn't letting Drew Brees' return to New Orleans stop it from pursuing the quarterback for its Monday Night Football booth. 

Despite Saints coach Sean Payton saying Brees will take his career year-by-year at this point, the New York Post's Andrew Marchand reports ESPN is trying to lure the future Hall of Famer into broadcasting upon retirement. In the meantime, the network is considering moving Steve Levy, Louis Riddick or Dan Orlovsky to the MNF broadcast team as it looks to revamp the show. 

Brees signed a two-year, $50 million deal to return to the Saints in mid-March. 

After missing out on signing Tony Romo—and with Peyton Manning still unlikely to move into an announcing role—Marchand says ESPN is offering Brees an annual deal in the neighborhood of $6.5 million, on par with what Jon Gruden was earning before he returned to coaching with the Raiders. 

Both NBC and Fox also remain interested in adding Brees to their NFL coverage, yet they are behind ESPN in their quests to sign the 41-year-old, per Marchand. In any case, the money won't come close to the $14 million per season ESPN reportedly offered Romo. 

Romo decided to re-sign with CBS for a jaw-dropping $180 million, 10-year term after his initial $10 million, three-year deal expired this offseason. While there were no shortage of suitors who wanted Romo in their booth, CBS ultimately won out, sending ESPN back to the drawing board.

Despite last season of Monday Night Football bringing in the highest ratings since 2015, the broadcast team of Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland endured a much-maligned year with viewers frustrated over the chemistry and commentary in the booth. 

There has been no official announcement from ESPN stating Tessitore and McFarland will not return to the broadcast in 2020. Even still, the company hasn't been quiet about the fact it's looking to upgrade its hosts. Brees may be the front-runner in ESPN's eyes, yet it'll have to wait at least another season before learning if their pursuit of the quarterback will lead to a deal.