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Odds to Retire After 2019 NFL Season for Big Ben, Belichick, Brees & Eli

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NFL Football

Updated Apr 2, 2020 · 10:23 AM PDT

Drew Brees
Drew Brees had lofty props for the 2019 season. Photo from Flickr.
  • See prop wagers on whether four NFLers will retire following the 2019-20 season
  • Odds are given on quarterbacks Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger or Eli Manning calling it quits
  • There’s also a betting market as to whether New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will call it a day

Quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are strong favorites to reach Super Bowl 54. Likewise, you can never count out head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots when talking about the big game.

But can you count on them for the 2020 season?

The sportsbooks have put out with a series of prop wagers regarding the potential retirement of several NFL veteran dignitaries.

Along with Brees and Belichick, books are also offering odds on whether Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and New York Giants QB Eli Manning will hang up their cleats at the end of the current campaign.

Player/Coach No Odds Yes Odds
Bill Belichick -1000 +500
Drew Brees -120 -120
Eli Manning +200 -300
Ben Roethlisberger -300 +200

*Odds taken on 09/06/19.

Brees (264 GP), Manning (232) and Roethlisberger (216) have played a combined 712 NFL games. Belichick has coached 384 NFL games.

Is It Still A Brees?

At the age of 40 and entering his 19th NFL season, Brees gets asked about his future on almost a daily basis.

His answers tend to fall into the category of cliche speak. Brees talks about taking things one day at a time. He discusses how much there still is for this group of Saints to accomplish on the field.

A seven-time NFL passing leader and a 12-time Pro Bowler, Brees is the NFL’s all-time leader with 74,437 passing yards. He shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, Brees is the favorite to lead the NFL in passing yardage again this season.

Brees has missed just three games in the last 11 seasons. There’s no reason to think he’ll stop playing anytime soon.

Pick: No (-120)

Will Big Ben Chime For The Final Time?

Of the three QBs among this prop offering, Roethlisberger has played the fewest games. But he’s also endured the most physical hardship.

Roethlisberger has suffered 23 documented injuries during his career, including cracked and separated ribs, a torn meniscus, torn shoulder ligaments, nose, thumb and foot fractures, a dislocated shoulder and three concussions.

Amazingly, he’s missed just seven games due to this laundry list of maladies but you have to wonder how much more pounding he’ll be willing/able to absorb?

If the Steelers take another step backwards this season, don’t be surprised if Big Ben opts to let the clock run out on his career.

Pick: Yes (+200)

Manning The Escape Hatch

No one on this list can access better resources regarding when to walk away from the game than Manning. His dad Archie retired as an NFL QB in 1984 after 14 seasons. Eli’s older brother Peyton retired as an NFL QB in 2016 after 17 seasons.

Manning has proven eternally durable. He’s missed just one game since 2005 and that was due to a benching. But he has 2018 first-round draft pick Daniel Jones breathing down his neck, eyeing his job.

Even if the Giants decide to go to Jones and step away from Manning, bet on him going somewhere else to play before he gives up the game.

Pick: No (+200)

Would Belichick Hang Up The Hoodie?

Could anyone look at Belichick prowling the sideline and think that this guy is actually considering stopping what he does for a living?

When the day comes, years from now, and Belichick walks off into the football sunset, he’ll do so hand in hand with Tom Brady.

Pick: No (-1000)

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