N/S Browns $plash out for Brissett

What about the development of Brees himself? He was a QB that began playing some B+/A- football in 2004 once he saw that his possible replacement was brought in. He was not the slam dunk first ballot HOFer and Super Bowl MVP we came to know. Acquiring Brees was big news around this time 16 years ago, but drafting Reggie Bush over a month later was supposed to be our game-changing acquisition of the 2006 offseason.
Slightly revisionist history, there. Mike Detillier was literally giddy about Brees before he came here. He said 'you never, ever see a QB this good hit free agency'.

Separately Payton and Brees were both excellent. Together... well, you know what they achieved on offense together. I think the desire to give credit to one over the other is misplaced.