Drew Brees Breaks Broadcast Barriers, Lands Netflix Gig on Christmas Day

As the NFL's Christmas Day football feast approaches, a notable exception has emerged amid the network restrictions. While Fox and ESPN have reportedly banned their talent from working for Netflix on the streaming giant's holiday programming, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has managed to secure a spot.

Brees, who joined Fox full-time in early November 2025 after Mark Sanchez's dismissal, will be calling the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions game on Christmas Day. This represents a significant breakthrough for the legendary quarterback, whose transition to broadcasting has not been as smooth as his illustrious playing career.

Brees had already agreed to a Netflix deal prior to signing with Fox, and the network has made a concession to allow him to fulfill this commitment. This comes as a blow to Netflix, which had been denied access to many of the top talents from the major networks.

Brees' broadcasting journey has been marked by challenges. After retiring in 2020, he initially joined NBC, but that deal was short-lived, with the network announcing in 2022 that he would not be staying on. Now, the 46-year-old has been given a second chance, and his Christmas Day appearance on Netflix could be one of the most watched games of the season.

As the NFL's top talent continues to be restricted from working with Netflix, Brees' ability to break through this barrier and secure a coveted spot on the streaming platform's holiday lineup is a testament to his enduring star power and the network's willingness to make an exception in his case.