Tom Brady really wanted to play for one franchise once he decided he would be taking his talents elsewhere. The 49ers held internal discussions shortly after their Super Bowl loss in February of 2020 to consider the possibility of signing Tom Brady to replace Jimmy Garoppolo.
Ultimately, the 49ers decided against pursuing Brady and sticking with Jimmy G, who is 15 years younger and still had three years remaining on the lucrative contract he signed with the 49ers after the 2017 season.
After doing their homework, the 49ers concluded that then-42-year-old Brady was just marginally better than Garoppolo, and decided not to make a move, as reported in “It’s Better To Be Feared,” a soon-to-be released book by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham.
Brady is a San Mateo native, and wanted to end his career where “his love of football began, in scarlet and gold, allowing his parents to drive to (his) games for the first time since the 1990s,” according to the book. Brady also informed Welker, San Francisco’s wide receivers coach, if the 49ers were interested, he would finish his career in the Bay Area.
According to the book, Brady wrote down 20 or so elements he desired from his new team. His contract demand was considered reasonable: Two years, $50 million.
Brady ended up signing with the Bucs, winning the Super Bowl, while the 49ers are on the cusp of eventually replacing Jimmy G with Trey Lance.
