Free agency has altered the landscape of every major professional sport. Most pundits argue very strongly to either side of the discussion, as to whether or not free agency is indeed good or bad for the game. From a player’s perspective, it is a benefit to be able to see what your market value is. From a team’s perspective, it can be advantageous to find the missing piece of the puzzle they were unable to find through the draft. After watching the New Orleans Saints demoralize the New England Patriots Monday night, I believe the argument can be made that Drew Brees is the best and most impactful free agent signing in history.

Reggie White used to haunt backfields in the NFL. When White was a rookie in 1995, he tallied 13 sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles. He would continue his dominance for eight years in Philly, recording a monster 124 sacks in eight seasons. White became one of only four players to ever accumulate twenty or more sacks in a season. He set an NFL regular-season record in 1987 by averaging the most sacks per game, with 1.75 sacks per game. During his tenure with the Eagles, White registered more sacks than the number of games that he played. This is a feat that is nearly incomprehensible for even the most avid football fans. At the dawn of free agency in 1993, White became the first all star player to switch teams. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers and instantly helped turn the tide of the league’s most historic franchise. The team returned to glory in 1996, as White led the NFL’s top ranked defense to they playoffs and an eventual and Super Bowl victory. In Super Bowl XXXI he recorded a record three sacks. Reggie played two more years in Green Bay, notching and additional 27 sacks to his monster career total of 198, second all time in the history of the NFL.

While White is hands down one of the top defensive ends to ever play the game, Drew Brees will likely never be in the top quarterback conversation. A second round pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft, Brees’ six foot, 200 pound frame has never met the standards of a prototypical successful NFL quarterback. He had marginal success his first three years, and looked to be turning the corner in the 2004 season. He played 15 games and posted a monster 104.8 passer rating, with 3,159 yards, and a 27:7 touchdown to interception ratio. After that season, the Chargers would shock Brees. With an admission of no confidence in his future, they Chargers drafted Eli Manning with the top overall pick in the 2004 draft. They famously turned this pick into a swap of Manning for quarterback Phillip Rivers, thus stating outright that they are moving on from Brees. Unflappable even then, Brees’ final year as a Charger was spectacular. He started all 16 games and finished with 3,576 yards and 24 touchdowns. Brees would then be allowed to walk as the title of the franchise quarterback had been granted to someone else.

Sean Payton took the helm of the New Orleans Saints in 2006. He had put his time in as an assistant, coaching various positions since 1997 from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. He had always done well getting the most out of his quarterbacks, somehow managing to get 3,000 yard seasons out of Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde, and Drew Bledsoe during his time in Dallas. New Orleans had often struggled with offense under Jim Haslett, their former head coach who was defense first, second, and last. Payton not only wanted to be successful, but wanted to be innovative. The marriage of his philosophy and the signing of Drew Brees seemed to be a perfect union.

Brees has excelled in the open, spread style offense since becoming a Saint. In his first three seasons, he has dominated the NFC. In 2006, he threw for 4,418 yards, 26 touchdowns, and finished with a 96.2 passer rating. In 2007, Brees would put up similar numbers, throwing for 4,423 yards, 28 touchdowns, and an 89.4 passer rating. Then came 2008. Brees would nearly break Dan Marino’s astronomical season record of 5,084 passing yards. Brees was unstoppable and showed an even greater chemistry with his receivers. He would total 5,069 yards, 34 touchdowns and match his 2006 rating of 96.2. The Saints made the playoffs only once in this three year timespan, but this year, a significant change was made.

Gregg Williams is now the the defensive coordinator of the Saints. His aggressive, attacking scheme, primarily run out of the 4-3, has given New Orleans a legitimate defense. The Saints have scored seven defensive touchdowns, a surreal number as a season total, let alone for a team with five remaining games. The swarming defense plays smart, and is turnover happy, constantly putting the ball in Brees’ hands and the offense in good position. Brees has 3,117 yards and 27 TDs this far, but his 112.6 passer rating is what separates him from his peers (Editor’s note: Apart from Peyton Manning, that is).

Brees most impressive statistic of the year is the Saints’ 11-0 record. From a team who recently were mocked as the “Aints”, the franchise has been turned around and could run the table in the regular season. The New England team they thrashed Monday was the best remaining team on their schedule, and the once unheard of perfect season seems within grasp once again. If the Saints win out and take the trophy with a 19-0 season, they will be the first team in history do so. I will now pose the question to you, if Brees’ prolific offensive ability coupled with a Super Bowl trophy doesn’t constitute him as the best offensive free agent signing in history, what does?

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