Brees Tells Chiefs’ Kelce Classic Story About Schottenheimer

‘He was Mahomes before Mahomes,’ new Hall of Famer explains about former Chargers QB.

Jan 2, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs former coach Marty Schottenheimer (right) poses with chairman of the board Clark Hunt (left) at halftime ceremony to induct Schottenheimer into the 2010 Chiefs hall of fame during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A year after the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes in 2017, imagine Alex Smith remaining in Kansas City and battling the youngster for the starting role.

Something similar happened in 2002, and Marty Schottenheimer was the head coach.

Nov 24, 2002; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees (9) in action against the Miami Dolphins at Dolphin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images | RVR Photos-Imagn Images

I was pissed

The year before Schottenheimer arrived in San Diego, the Chargers drafted Drew Brees in the second round. And even though Brees beat out Flutie in 2002, Schottenheimer made every day a job interview for Brees. The new Hall of Famer shared the story with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on this week’s edition of New Heights.

“He backed me up for three years after that,” said Brees, referring to Flutie. “I was benched three times in those three years with Marty Schottenheimer. Yeah, the first one, I deserved it. The second one, kind of. The third one, I didn't think I deserved it, and I was pissed.

Sept. 17, 2006; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images © 2006 Mark J. Rebilas | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“And had a knock-down, drag-out screaming match with Marty Schottenheimer on the sideline in December, at Pittsburgh, and then in the hallway after, and then in his office the next day.”

Schottenheimer’s starting quarterback for two years in Kansas City was Joe Montana. So, by the time the legendary head coach took over the Chargers, he wasn’t about to allow a young Brees to tell him how he should run the team.

Kansas City quarterback, Joe Montana didn't play against the Bills Friday August 26, 1994. | Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK

“At the end of the day,” Brees concluded, “I knew this: Marty was always making decisions that he thought were in the best interest of the team, even if I didn't agree with him. But I loved the man and he developed me in so many ways, character, leadership. But I loved and respected that man so much.”

Schottenheimer, who passed away five years ago this week, served as Chiefs head coach from 1989-98. He led the team to the postseason seven times in nine years and finished 104-65-1 at the reins of the Chiefs.

December 2, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; NFL former quarterback Doug Flutie walks the sidelines before the game between the San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

In the mold of Mahomes

And before launching a 21-year career as a head coach, he was a middle linebacker for the AFL’s Buffalo Bills and Boston Patriots. That might’ve been why he kept Brees in check with the savvy Flutie ready to step in.

Brees said the best thing that happened to him was getting drafted by the Chargers in 2001 and paired with Flutie. And looking back 25 years later, Brees said Patrick Mahomes has a lot of Flutie in him.

Dec 13, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) and defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

“He was Mahomes before Mahomes,” Brees said, “from the perspective of just pure niftyness.

“And Doug Flutie at times would back-pedal a seven-step drop from under center. When's the last time you saw that? This is like Fran Tarkenton stuff. He was just an old-school dude. He did pushups, situps, ran hills and played basketball. That was his strength and conditioning program, and just threw the ball, just played ball -- backyard ball.”

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