Sean Payton and Drew Brees found plenty of success as a duo for the New Orleans Saints. The quarterback was recognized for his accomplishments during the NFL Honors show, being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Here’s what the head coach had to say about Brees getting in as a first-ballot entry.
Sean Payton Comments on Drew Brees’ 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
Began his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, but his time with the New Orleans Saints is what most will remember him for. He helped the franchise win a Super Bowl ring, and at the time of his retirement, he topped the NFL’s career rankings in most passing categories.
His run with the Saints directly lines up with when Payton was the head coach there. The two of them formed an elite duo that made New Orleans an annual Super Bowl contender. When Brees was officially announced as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, his former coach didn’t hesitate to share his feelings on the situation.
“Set a bar so high for all of us … He’s OUR first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback … It was an honor to have coached you,” shared Payton.
He came when most were leaving…Set a bar so high for all of us….He lead immediately….
He’s OUR 1st Ballot HOF QB!
Congratulations Drew Brees. Also, Congratulations to Your wife Brittany, Baylen, Bowen, Callen and Rylen. It was an honor to have coached you. pic.twitter.com/s6zKDcvj9L— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) February 6, 2026
Only Tom Brady threw for more yards and touchdowns in his career than Brees did, demonstrating just how elite a quarterback he was. Another example of his greatness is that he finished among the top 10 quarterbacks in PFSN’s Impact Rankings for 17 consecutive seasons, including every year he was with the Saints.
Payton was there for all of them, with the exception of the one year in which the head coach served a suspension. They teamed up to win the Super Bowl, defeating the legendary Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. It was their only appearance in the big game, but they were regular threats in the playoffs, making it 10 times during their run as a tandem.
Brees is one of only two first-ballot Hall of Famers in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He is joined by iconic Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who trails only Jerry Rice on the all-time receiving list. Payton made it perfectly clear that he believes the quarterback got what he deserved this year, while also reminding New Orleans that he remains closely connected with the Saints, despite now being the Denver Broncos’ head coach.
