NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees is getting a rest for the New Orleans Saints' regular-season finale at Carolina.

Coach Sean Payton has decided to start Mark Brunell in place of the star quarterback for Sunday's game.

If Brees doesn't play, as expected, he will set an NFL record with his season-long completion percentage of 70.6. Ken Anderson has held the record since 1982, when he completed 70.55 percent of his passes for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brees will be listed as the Saints' third quarterback, behind Brunell and rookie Chase Daniel. The Times-Picayune first reported the move and the coach confirmed it to The Associated Press in an e-mail Saturday.

Brees has thrown for 4,388 yards and 34 touchdowns this season.