Are The 49ers A Possible Destination For Tom Brady?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady may be 45 years of age, but one can never count him out, even after he announces he is retiring, as the football world learned last offseason.
His team lost its Wild Card playoff contest on Monday to the Dallas Cowboys, 31-14, capping a season in which he finally looked his age quite often.
Once again, there is speculation on what will be next for Brady.
Will he retire (again), will he return to the Bucs, or will he move to another team?
According to NFL insider Dov Kleiman, the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders will be interested in acquiring Brady should he become available.
Among the teams that will consider signing pending free-agent QB Tom Brady, per @RapSheet: #49ers, #Titans and #Raiders. pic.twitter.com/haoJ70eKyM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 15, 2023
Less than two months ago, San Francisco would have been a viable destination for the seven-time Super Bowl champ, but of course, things have changed.
Brock Purdy Has Made 49ers Fans Feel Like They May Have “The Next Brady”
Of course, to call Brock Purdy the next Brady (or the next Joe Montana) at this point is complete hyperbole, given he has played just seven games since the foot injury that knocked out starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
But the Iowa State University product has shown some similarities to both legends, especially when it comes to his ability to escape pressure while finding his receivers downfield on the move.
After looking a bit shaky in the first half of the Niners’ Wild Card game versus the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Purdy was outstanding, finishing with three touchdown passes and an additional score himself in their 41-23 victory.
It is well-known that Brady grew up near San Francisco as a fan of the Montana/Steve Young-era 49ers, and playing for them would be a great way for him to bring things full-circle.
But unless Purdy’s play drops off a cliff, one would have to assume he will be penciled in as the starter next season and that the Niners won’t be in the market for a starting signal-caller.