They retired Rickey Jackson's #57 jersey and in conjunction with the unprecedented, HOF career City Champ, 6x Pro-Bowler, SB-winner with Niners in 1994, still tied with Cameron Jordan for most sacks in Saints franchise history, and they retired his number in a 1997 preseason game. Rickey Jackson deserved that honor.
Drew Brees, arguably had 2x the career, impact, longevity, and career achievements Jackson did that to just leave his recognition in the team's Ring of Honor is not completely honoring what the man truly did, accomplished. Brees' is likely the best FA pickup ever in NFL history, as well as the best player to ever don the Black and Gold and wear a Saints uniform. His greatness is so distinct, memorable, and sacred almost that to think, one day, maybe 10-15 years from now, there's a chance we might give some ______,, undrafted PK, punter, and rookie, eventual shmuck QB a #9 jersey is tantamount to being almost sacreligious. Brees' is our franchise's Tom Brady or Dan Marino. He set a very high bar of expectations of success, changed the image, aura of how our team and squad is viewed permanently, forever. Honestly, I think the Saints should put up a statue to honor Brees' for all his years, hard work, perennial success he brought to the Saints and prestige to the city of New Orleans outside the Superdome.
Taysom Hill has been a star for us, a true case of an hard-working overachiever, but I could see how some might be bothered by him wearing Morten's old number. I know "The Great Dane" didnt leave here on the best of terms, but that wasnt his fault, but a cheap, collective FO groupthink fork up that assumed Morten was a declining player, and it massively backfired on them.