With Drew Brees ready to return and his backup, Teddy Bridgewater, undefeated as the starter, the New Orleans Saints are in a pickle: start Brees and don't let him rest up for another week or continue to roll with Bridgewater?

Friday indicated that they have yet to find an answer to that question.

Coach Sean Payton declined to name a starter during Friday's media availability. In doing so, he reaffirmed his prior statement that he may wait until Sunday to name the starter. He did say that both Brees and Bridgewater took first-team reps during the week.

Brees injured his thumb in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams. He practiced for the first time since suffering the injury this week, albeit in a limited fashion for all three days.

Article Continues Below
More New Orleans Saints News
Injured New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan walks off the field with quarterback Jameis Winston (2) at the end of their game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Caesars Superdome.
Saints’ Cameron Jordan makes Jameis Winston reunion pitch to Kay AdamsAlex House ·
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Gabe Davis (13) during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Former Josh Allen weapon visiting Saints amid NFL free agencyLorenzo J Reyna ·
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) during rookie minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
Rising New Orleans Saints rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsCameron Zunkel ·
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium.
Saints’ Derek Carr shares eye-opening reason for turning down $30 millionTroy Finnegan ·
New Saints head coach Kellen Moore has Bryan Bresee and other gems on his first New Orleans team.
3 New Orleans Saints hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowLorenzo J Reyna ·
Mystery player in the middle, Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara around him, Saints logo in the background
1 New Orleans Saints rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampEnzo Flojo ·

Bridgewater is playing like the NFL's highest-paid backup. Since Brees went down, the 26-year-old has gone undefeated as the starter, throwing for 1,370 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions on a 67.7% clip in the process.

However, for as good as Bridgewater has been, the Saints are an offense designed for Brees to run. He knows the ins and outs of it and has been their franchise quarterback for the past 14 years. Furthermore, he's potentially in the last season of his career. He isn't going to sit on the bench, especially considering that just last year he was second in MVP voting.

Perhaps Payton is trying to keep the Arizona Cardinals on their toes. Without naming a starter, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph may have a restricted gameplan.