As San Diegans grow further away from the Chargers since their move from America’s finest city in 2016, a distant humming on the offseason horizon has the football gods praying. Drew Brees, the cannon from Purdue, is a newly minted free agent. If Chargers management had sense, they would re-sign Brees. Not only to roll the dice on a championship, but to reignite the fanbase for one last swan song of sorts. A storyline so bright with a hollywood ending.
In 2005, the Chargers cast Drew Brees away and for legitimate reasons. He was recovering from a shoulder surgery that many doctors believed there was no coming back from. He had Phillip Rivers waiting in the wings, something Brees was well aware of when he left. “A.J. didn’t draft me,” Brees said in a parting shot to A.J. Smith, who had succeeded John Butler as general manager after his untimely death.
Since Drew Brees’ departure, the what ifs have always circulated. Brees reminisced endearingly of his times in San Diego while he set records and won a super bowl. The Chargers had their share of success but never claimed the ultimate prize. Let me be clear. Now is the time to bring Brees back. Dean Spanos rise to the occasion and have one last run at glory and forgiveness.
The move is perfect, but the Chargers brass probably won’t deliver. They don’t make bold moves. They fumble their superstars and fan base in the name of frugality. Odds have it Tyrod Taylor is more likely to start in LA next season than Philip Rivers (or Tom Brady for that matter). A dribble rather than a splash awaits us for the inaugural season in a brand new stadium.
Should Chargers management come to their senses and sign Drew Brees this offseason, it would be a wise gambit in a long history of shortcomings. The team would be what it should have been in 2016: The Southern California Chargers — preferbly San Diego, but market forces being what they are.
The Last Democrat 