Fox Sports has announced the departure of NFL analyst Mark Sanchez and the hiring of Drew Brees as his replacement. A Fox Sports spokesman confirmed Sanchez's exit on Friday, stating, "We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network. There will be no further comment at this time."

Sanchez has been off the air since October 4, when he was involved in a violent altercation with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel. He was in the city for Fox’s coverage of the October 5 game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders. Following the incident, Sanchez faces a felony battery charge and several misdemeanor charges related to the fight, which prosecutors say stemmed from a dispute over parking. Additionally, Sanchez and Fox Sports are named in a civil lawsuit filed by the driver, 69-year-old Perry Tole.

Drew Brees will join Fox’s No. 4 NFL crew, partnering with play-by-play announcer Adam Amin and sideline reporter Kristina Pink. Brees is set to make his debut on November 16. The former NFL quarterback retired after the 2020 season, concluding a 20-year career primarily with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. He led the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory during the 2009 season.

After retiring, Brees joined NBC in 2021 as an analyst for Notre Dame football and contributed to “Football Night in America.” However, he left NBC after a brief stint that included a wild-card game where he struggled as an analyst. Earlier this season, Brees made a guest appearance on “Fox NFL Sunday” and is also expected to provide analysis for one of Netflix's two Christmas Day games.

Brad Zager, Fox Sports president of production and operations, expressed enthusiasm about Brees joining the team, stating, "Drew is one of the best to ever play the game, and we couldn’t be more excited to have his prolific credentials and unique insights as part of our coverage on Sundays. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Fox Sports family."

Brees shared his excitement about the new role, saying, "I hope my passion for this game is reflected in the knowledge and insights I provide to the fans each Sunday."

In his first year of eligibility, Brees is among the 52 modern-era players being considered for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He ranks second in NFL history for passing yards with 80,358 and passing touchdowns with 571.

While Brees steps into his new role, Sanchez's legal troubles continue. An Indianapolis judge has scheduled his trial to begin on December 11. According to a police affidavit, Sanchez, who allegedly smelled of alcohol, confronted Tole, who had backed his truck into a hotel’s loading dock. Tole claims Sanchez entered the truck without permission and physically confronted him, leading Tole to use pepper spray in self-defense. Sanchez reportedly advanced after being sprayed, prompting Tole to pull a knife for protection. Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso.

A photo of Tole circulating online shows him in a neck brace in a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep cut on his face. Sanchez had a decade-long NFL career before retiring in 2019, playing for teams including the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Football Team. He worked as a game analyst for Fox Sports starting in 2021 after spending two years with ABC and ESPN.