What is Drew Brees' Net Worth and Salary?
Drew Brees is a retired American professional NFL quarterback with a net worth of $160 million. After an impactful college football career, Brees quickly became one of the NFL's most talented quarterbacks. He retired from the NFL in March 2021, leaving a legacy as a significant asset for the New Orleans Saints. Brees led the NFL in touchdowns and passing yards, earning recognition as one of the best passers and possibly the best quarterback of all time.
Early Life
Drew Christopher Brees was born on January 15, 1979, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up with one brother, and their parents divorced when he was seven. Despite the challenges, Brees and his brother formed a close bond. Brees began playing flag football in high school and participated in other sports like basketball. After a serious knee injury, he focused on football and became an exceptional quarterback for his high school team, achieving 50 touchdowns and 314 completed passes.
College Football
Despite his high school success, Brees wasn't heavily recruited by colleges. He chose Purdue over Kentucky due to its academic reputation. Brees didn't become a starter until his second year when Coach Joe Tiller appointed him offensive captain and introduced a spread offense strategy called "basketball on grass." Brees led Purdue to numerous upsets, including a notable victory against Ohio State with a game-winning, 64-yard touchdown pass. Brees graduated from Purdue in 2001 with a degree in industrial management, breaking many records and receiving numerous accolades.
NFL
Brees's impressive college record did not immediately translate to NFL interest, but he was eventually drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001. Initially a backup to Doug Flutie, Brees took over after Flutie suffered a concussion, amassing over 200 passing yards and his first touchdown pass.
In 2002, Brees became the starting quarterback but faced performance challenges, leading to alternating starting roles with Flutie. By 2004, Brees defended his position against Phillip Rivers, achieving his best season with a 65.5% passing completion rate and a 104.8 passer rating, and leading the Chargers to their first Western Division title in a decade.
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Despite his success, the Chargers focused on Phillip Rivers. Brees continued as a franchise player until a shoulder injury in his final season. After the Chargers refused to negotiate a better contract, Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he led in passing yards and became the second NFL player to throw over 5,000 yards in a single season. He led the Saints to their first Super Bowl win and was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2010.
In 2011, Brees won the "triple crown," leading in completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns, and breaking the record for most passing yards in a season with 5,084. Although the Saints struggled from 2014 to 2016, they returned to the playoffs in 2017. In 2018, they faced a controversial playoff defeat, and in the 2019 season, Brees missed eight weeks due to a torn ligament in his hand.
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Salary and Contracts
Throughout his two decades in the NFL, Drew Brees earned $250 million in salary alone, averaging $15 million annually from endorsements. In 2006, he signed a six-year, $60-million contract with the Saints, including $22 million in bonuses. Subsequent contracts included a five-year, $100-million deal and a two-year, $50-million contract in 2018. Between June 2016 and June 2020, Brees earned between $40 million and $50 million annually through salaries, bonuses, and endorsements.
Real Estate
In 2003, Brees and his wife bought a property near Carmel Valley, California, for $2.2 million, featuring 6,000 square feet of living space, a six-car garage, and a pool. They sold it in 2012 for $2.4 million. In 2006, Brees bought a New Orleans property for $1.575 million. In 2019, he invested in a Lafayette property, building a 49,000-square-foot family entertainment and sports facility called Surge Entertainment, renowned for its state-of-the-art offerings.
