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NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history

By Hans Themistode

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Nick Saban
Nick Saban (Photo by Kirby Lee/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

NFL: 30 of the biggest what-ifs in NFL history: 24. Nick Saban nabs Drew Brees

Everything could’ve changed with this one.

Nick Saban would have gone from greatest college football coach of all time to simply the greatest coach of all time.

Saban successfully gave the Miami Dolphins a bit of hope in 2005 by coaching up that squad to a 9-7 record with quarterback Gus Frerotte. Saban believed the Dolphins could become title contenders with Drew Brees and considering his long list of accomplishments and impending induction into the Hall of Fame, he was absolutely right. Still, the Dolphins never trusted the surgically repaired shoulder of Brees in 2005 and offered him a lowball contract in comparison to what the New Orleans Saints dropped in his lap.

In the end, the Saints went on to have a historical run with Brees which included a Super Bowl title, countless deep playoff runs and smashing several records along the way.

As for the Dolphins, they went 6-10 that following year and Saban fizzled out. What could Saban have done with an all-time great quarterback at his disposal? Would he still be in the NFL today, drawing up Xs and Os with the best of them in the pro game? Maybe he could’ve turned into the next Bill Belichick. We’ll never know how far he could’ve gone.

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