Tom Brady potentially landing with the San Francisco 49ers has been a hot topic over the last couple of weeks, despite it originating from mostly speculation and rumors. Still, it seems like a good fit ... at least, for Brady. It's probably less of a fit for the 49ers.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky this week broke down the pros and cons of a Brady and 49ers pairing during a segment on Get Up. If nothing else, it shows how well-respected San Francisco is as a team after being a surprise participant in the Super Bowl.
Orlovsky admits that he doesn't know how realistic the possibility is of Brady actually landing with his favorite childhood team. Most might tell you that it doesn't seem very likely at all, but that's not going to stop analysts, like Orlovsky, from discussing the topic.
In discussing the pros, Orlovsky notes that the 49ers have a top-three play-caller in head coach Kyle Shanahan, who has found success with quarterbacks of varying styles. The 49ers also have a Rob-Gronkowski-like tight end in George Kittle, who would provide Brady with a reliable weapon.
"Kittle is a physical player that Tom Brady will have a great understanding of how to throw the football to because he is so representative of the way that Rob Gronkowski played," Orlovsky said. "And they would use him very similar to the way Tom is used to, as well."
Orlovsky then points out that the 49ers own an "outstanding defense," which takes the pressure off the 42-year-old Brady to score more points.
"And this would be one of the best defenses that Tom Brady has ever played (with)," Orlovsky noted. "As an aging quarterback, as a guy that wants to finish his career not carrying a football team, you don't have to go out there and think, 'Man, I've got to go score 30-to-35 points to go beat good football teams. This defense is so dominant, they will get the ball back to Tom Brady a bunch."
Then when it came time to list the cons of such a pairing, Orlovsky's list was empty. Of course, it is important to note that this list was created from Brady's perspective, and not necessarily from the standpoint of the 49ers. The obvious argument was made that should San Francisco fail to win a Super Bowl in the next year or two, and Brady retires, the team will be left in the predicament of once again trying to find a quarterback of the future.
General manager John Lynch has already made it clear that he feels 28-year-old Jimmy Garoppolo has not yet hit his ceiling. Brady's best days are likely behind him and is less likely to be playing three or four years from now.
Orlovsky's pros and cons also seem to suggest that it might be the 49ers carrying Brady, and not the opposite. If that is the case, some might wonder what the benefit is from San Francisco's perspective.