Drew Brees Set to Join Fox Sports as NFL Analyst Amid Sanchez's Legal Troubles
Fox Sports is making significant changes to its NFL broadcast team, announcing that Drew Brees will step in as a game analyst after Mark Sanchez's recent arrest.
Reports indicate that Brees, a former quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, is expected to begin his role on Sunday, November 16. While the specific game he will cover remains undisclosed, he is contracted to serve as an analyst for the remainder of the season and into next year.
At 46, Brees will collaborate with play-by-play announcer Adam Amin, who previously partnered with Sanchez. The agreement between Brees and Fox is reportedly finalized, with a formal contract anticipated shortly.
After retiring from professional football in 2020, Brees transitioned to NBC Sports, where he provided commentary for Notre Dame games and contributed to the Sunday Night Football studio. However, his tenure with NBC concluded after just one season.
If confirmed, Brees will join a roster of prominent analysts at Fox, including Tom Brady and Greg Olsen, as the NFL season progresses.
This shift comes in light of Sanchez's absence from broadcasts following his involvement in a physical altercation in Indianapolis. The incident occurred on October 4 around 12:30 a.m., as confirmed by the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.
Fox NFL Kickoff host Charissa Thompson addressed the situation during the October 5 broadcast, expressing concern for Sanchez and those involved. “Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we are still trying to wrap our heads around,” she stated.
Chris Myers also acknowledged the incident during the same broadcast, stating, “I’m Chris Myers, along with Brady Quinn, who is stepping in for Mark Sanchez. And obviously we all want to send out our thoughts and prayers to Mark and those involved in Friday’s incident.”
An affidavit revealed that Sanchez allegedly confronted a 69-year-old delivery driver at a loading dock. The driver reported that Sanchez appeared intoxicated and used pepper spray in self-defense. When Sanchez continued to approach him, the driver resorted to using a knife, resulting in multiple stab wounds to Sanchez.
Following the altercation, police arrested Sanchez at the hospital on charges of battery with injury among others. He has pleaded not guilty, with his trial scheduled to commence in Indiana on December 11.
Sanchez's NFL career spanned eight seasons, during which he notably led the New York Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Games in his first two years. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Commanders before retiring in 2019.
