Entering his 18th NFL season, Saints quarterback Drew Brees has shown no signs of slowing down. Last season, a 38- (now 39) year-old Brees threw for the fourth most yards in the NFL, behind only Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, and Matthew Stafford. The Saints surpassed all expectations, making it to the divisional round of the playoffs before falling victim to the Vikings’ Minnesota Miracle. It was the first walk-off touchdown in NFL playoff history and fans across the country were screaming at their televisions in awe of wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

After last season’s success and nearly making it to the NFC Championship game, the expectations (and hopes) are much higher for the Saints in 2018. We spoke with Brees via phone at Saints training camp to hear about his thoughts on the upcoming season, how much longer he hopes to keep playing and much more.

Rebecca Toback: What’s motivating you to go out and win in your 18th NFL season?

Drew Brees: I feel like there’s still a lot to accomplish. I’m excited about the opportunity we have. I really like our team. I love the challenge of coming to work everyday and needing to develop that chemistry with the young receivers coming in and free agents. I love how our team is reestablishing its identity and there’s always new challenges and new opportunities. I understand I only probably have a few years left and I want to make the most of that, enjoy every second and stay in the moment.

RT: How much longer do you envision yourself playing in the NFL?

DB: Well, I think I could play to 45-years-old or beyond if I really wanted to. Do I really want to? I don’t know. The thing that’s going to end up pulling me away would be wanting to spend more time with my family, my kids, and watch them grow up, coach them and be an even bigger part of their lives. Football takes a lot of my time, especially during the season, so that’s going to be what pulls me away. I’d like to leave the game on my terms, but I can’t really put a number on it right now. I’m going to enjoy it, and play every season like it’s my last, and we’ll see how long we can go.

RT: Are there any personal goals you’re looking to achieve before retiring?

DB: I just want to win another championship. I surely think we’re capable. We’ve got a lot of work to do; we’ve got a ton of work to do. But there’s a great sense of urgency to improve everyday. If we can take that mindset then yes, we have a great chance.

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RT: Last season turned out to be a pretty great one for the Saints. What do you think is going to help you take it to the next level this season?

DB: We can be better. I think we can be better in a lot of areas. There were things offensively we need to be better at if we want to go where we want to go and defensively, I know they feel the same way. There were some defining moments from last season that gave us a ton of confidence and momentum and we hit our stride at the right time. But every year is new year. You start over, need to reestablish your identity. And you need to understand that everyone else in the league is re-tooling as well. They’ve gone out and made offseason acquisitions and additions and done things to give themselves hope, as well. Each and every week is such a battle in this league.

Every year is new year. You start over, need to reestablish your identity. And you need to understand that everyone else in the league is re-tooling as well.” - Drew Brees

RT: What are your early impressions of the Saints from training camp?

DB: We’re taking it one step at a time. We have seven practices under our belt, or something like that. So one day at a time but I like our team and I like the approach each and every day. It’s been physical, it’s been competitive and those are the things you want in training camp. So I think at this stage in the game, everyday you’re competing against yourself. Your own offense is competing against your own defense. We go out there everyday and try to beat our defense and they do the same. And I think by the time the season rolls around, you’ve thrown so much at each other that iron sharpens iron. You’ve prepared each other for the season and now you’re on the same team and playing complimentary football and fighting for one another. And that’s when it starts to get really fun.

RT: What’s harder: Saints training camp or the USAA Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp?

DB: Well we just finished up our training camp practice outside so that being in the 90 degrees with high humidity in New Orleans versus the bootcamp, which we’re actually doing in the indoors facility. The weather conditions are a little better in the indoors. This is a lot of fun. I appreciate the partnership USAA and the NFL have developed to highlight what our military members and family members do for us on a daily basis. USAA creates authentic, once in a lifetime opportunities for military members and their families.

RT: You’ve been having fun at training camp with QB challenges like The Snoball Showdown and Golf Challenge. How did that begin?

DB: We’ve always ended practice with something. Some sort of competition. We love to compete and walk off the field with a winner and a loser, especially with the group of QBs that’s always something we put together. It’s taken on a life of its own now that we video it and put it on social media. The fans engage with it. At times we’ll invite fans to participate or get kids to come out with us. It’s cool. We’ve gone next level with it and tried to get really creative with it. We have trick shots and other cool stuff. So it’s fun; it’s just a way to make camp a little more fun.

RT: What’s been the biggest change you’ve seen from your first NFL season to now?

DB: Just experience. Having so many games under my belt and I feel like I’ve watched so much film and seen so many different variations and watched the evolution of certain things so you begin to understand even better the way defenses will defend you.

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