Sean Payton doesn’t see ‘attrition injury’ as Drew Brees ages

The difference between Drew Brees and Peyton Manning in their late 30’s is obvious.

Brees has been able to stay healthier than Manning. Unlike Manning, who underwent neck surgery that affected him structurally, Brees has dealt with tissue injuries that could happen to any player.

For that reason, Saints head coach Sean Payton believes Brees still has a lot more to offer.

“I say that with conviction, only paying attention to what I’m seeing,” Payton said in an ESPN interview with Hannah Storm that aired Friday.

Brees, who was impacted by an oblique injury in 2014, dealt with a bruised rotator cuff and a torn plantar fascia in 2015.

None of those injuries were a result of his age, nor something that will continue to cause problems even after it healed.

“I don’t see the attrition injury,” Payton told Storm. “What happened with his foot could’ve happened when he was 28.”

At this point in Brees’ career, Payton sees no sign his quarterback is slowing down, something he’s been saying repeatedly in interviews since the end of the season.

“I don’t see that window, if you will, that end if you will,” Payton said. “And that’s a good thing.”