The disrespect just won't stop, even with Drew Brees' Hall of Fame induction days away. CBS Sports recently dropped its ranking of the top 100 players in NFL history, and Saints fans are seeing red over where the legendary quarterback landed.
In a feature by Bryan DeArdo, Brees came in at No. 33 — behind the likes of Sammy Baugh, O.J. Simpson, Brett Favre, and Bruce Smith. The reasoning? DeArdo praised Brees for taking "the baton from Steve Young as the most efficient quarterback in league history," noting his seven passing yards titles, six completion percentage crowns, and four touchdown pass leads. He also highlighted Brees' Super Bowl MVP and his status as the NFL's career passing leader at retirement.
But fans aren't buying it. The reaction on social media was swift and fiery:
- "Drew Brees is a top 3 QB of all time and he ain't number 3," one fan declared.
- "No disrespect to Baugh but foh with that lol," another wrote.
- "Too many Brees haters," a third chimed in.
- "Drew Brees at 33rd all-time is flat-out criminal."
- "If Brees has the career he had in any other market than New Orleans he'd have multiple MVPs and be considered a unanimous top 5 QB."
- "Mind you they hav Dam Marino at number 10. (expletive) you [CBS Sports]."
The fury echoes a broader trend of fans fuming over quarterback rankings, and it's not just about Brees — it's about the perceived bias against smaller-market stars.
The Greatest Saint
Brees' career is nothing short of legendary. Over 20 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints, he rewrote the record books. Drafted in the second round in 2001, he blossomed into a superstar after joining the Saints in 2006, transforming the franchise into a perennial contender alongside coach Sean Payton. He led New Orleans to its first Super Bowl title in the 2009 season, earning MVP honors after completing 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns against the Colts.
When he retired after the 2020 season, Brees held career marks of 80,358 passing yards, 571 touchdown passes, a 67.7% completion rate, and a 98.7 passer rating — numbers that rank among the best ever.
His trophy case includes 13 Pro Bowl nods, five All-Pro selections, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, the 2004 Comeback Player of the Year, and the 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year. He led the league in passing yards a record seven times and hit 5,000-plus yards in five seasons, setting numerous accuracy and consistency records.
With his 2026 Hall of Fame induction imminent, many argue his résumé deserves a top-five spot, not a mid-30s ranking. But CBS's list has sparked a debate that won't die down anytime soon.
For Saints fans, this is just another disrespectful slight in a long line of them. As one fan put it, "The disrespect will never end."
