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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Drew Brees Knows What's Missing for the Chargers
Long before becoming the face of the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees began his NFL career with San Diego after the Chargers selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. More than two decades later, the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback still keeps a close eye on the franchise that gave him his first opportunity.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Covers.com , Brees shared his thoughts on the Bolts' outlook under head coach Jim Harbaugh, why Los Angeles has established a winning formula and what Justin Herbert must do to help the franchise finally make a deep postseason run.
Despite the Chargers' recent regular-season success, Brees believes the next step is obvious.
"They've had some good regular seasons, and then it's just going and putting it together in the playoffs," Brees said. "They're going to win a lot of games based on defense and run game. But then you get to the playoffs, and it's, 'Man, everybody's good.' So how do you get over the hump and continue to gain confidence and momentum? They just have to get in the playoffs and find ways to win those games."
It's a sentiment that reflects the reality of today's league. Winning 10 or 11 games is no longer enough for a franchise with championship aspirations. Success is ultimately measured by what happens in the postseason.
Brees believes Harbaugh has built Los Angeles around a proven blueprint that has translated to winning throughout his coaching career.
"That style of offense under Harbaugh, wherever he's been, it's been defense and run game," Brees said. "That was Marty Schottenheimer. That's the hallmark of a lot of really good teams because that type of system can travel. That can travel anywhere into domes, into bad weather, across the world. That's the formula for winning."
The former Pro Bowler's reference to Schottenheimer is particularly fitting, as Brees played under the longtime Chargers head coach. While Harbaugh's offensive philosophy has evolved with the modern game, Brees sees familiar principles centered around physicality, ball control and complementary football.
That said, Brees emphasized that even the league's most balanced teams eventually need their quarterback to take over.
"But at some point, the QB is going to have to make some plays," he said. "He's going to have to convert some third downs that you didn't expect him to convert, or just do some things to continue to possess the ball that give you a chance to go down and win the game."
That responsibility falls squarely on Herbert, one of the league's most talented passers but a quarterback who has yet to guide Los Angeles to sustained postseason success. While the Chargers have leaned heavily on its rushing attack and defense under Harbaugh, Brees believes Herbert's ability to elevate the offense in critical moments will ultimately determine how far the team can go.
Brees has already seen glimpses of what the Chargers' passing game can become.
"The game that I saw them play last year against the Cowboys—and granted, the Cowboys' defense was struggling—it was precision passing," he said. "It was placing the ball into the bread basket down the field, making big plays on go balls and deep posts, and also the intermediate passing game and the short passing game with screens and option routes and different things. They have all the makings of being a really good pass offense. It's just pulling it together at the right time."
For Brees, the ingredients are already in place. A physical identity, an accomplished head coach and a franchise quarterback give the Chargers every opportunity to compete. The challenge now is turning regular-season promise into postseason production.
BreesLos AngelesHebertLongNew Orleans SaintsDrew BreesNFLSan DiegoChargersNFL DraftMorePro Football Hall
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