CHRIS CHASE

USA TODAY

At the start of his 14th NFL training camp, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees told reporters he'd like to play another 10 years, until he's 45 years old.

"I understand the challenges that come along with that," Brees said, "but why not? If I can stay healthy, and I'm having fun and playing at a high level, why wouldn't I wanna do that?"

But not everyone was excited about Brees' quest to become an NFL Ponce de Leon.

Brees' sarcastic air quotes (the same ones Jimmy Graham use when he calls himself a "wide receiver") and the "LOL" suggest he's joking and that he knows this is merely a quirk of the testing regimen.

If the NFL was situationally drug testing after players making frivolous statements, they'd have to test every cornerback who says they're better than Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis, not to mention all those players on sub-.500 teams who make Super Bowl guarantees.

But the whole idea of Brees playing until 45 isn't that far-fetched. The two oldest quarterbacks in NFL history were Steve DeBerg and Warren Moon, both of whom started one game as 44 year olds. If Brees can stay healthy, keep his arm in shape and avoid testing positive for Geritol, there's no reason he couldn't achieve his goal.