The San Francisco 49ers briefly looked into the possibility of signing future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady over the offseason. That's not to sat that team decision-makers John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan ever gave the idea some serious consideration. Still, it would have been irresponsible not at least to discuss the possibility when the opportunity arose.
So they did.
Ultimately, their discussion and film review led them to the conclusion that the 49ers didn't need Brady. They were happy with Jimmy Garoppolo, who had just led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in his first full NFL season as a starter.
"The cool things is, kind of at the same time, we both looked at each other and said, 'You know what? We've got what we believe to be the long-term answer in our building right now,'" Lynch said in April during an interview on 95.7 The Game. "We felt like it was our duty to take a quick look at Tom, and this was nothing to disparage him, but that's not going to be a long-term answer.
"We figured we did what we think was the responsible thing to do. We took a good look, but the answer is right here in our building. And I think the coolest thing for us is we come out of that more convicted in who Jimmy Garoppolo is, and what he means to this team, than ever before."
Lynch and Shanahan kept Garoppolo informed during the process, so he knew they were at least discussing Brady. It doesn't sound like he has taken the whole situation personally.
"It kind of comes with the territory," Garoppolo told Matt Barrows of The Athletic last week. "It comes with the job."
Brady went on to sign a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 49ers decided he did not fit into their long-term plans, even with his Hall-of-Fame worthy resume.
"Once we realized and heard this could be realistic, this isn't just talk, we looked into it all," Shanahan told Tim Kawakami of The Athletic in April, "especially with the respect we have for Tom and everything, and how great of a player he is. We looked into it to try to see if it would be better for our team this year and in the future. When we weighed it all together, we didn't think it would.
"We felt great with where we were at, and kind of confirmed how we are with Jimmy."
Garoppolo was appreciative of Lynch and Shanahan keeping him well informed of the situation. Sometimes, players learn about such things at the same time as fans — on social media or via an NFL Network breaking-news report. Or from family or friends who learn of such reports.
The quarterback also understands that it is Lynch's and Shanahan's jobs to make sure they are putting together the best team possible, and investigate every opportunity.
"The one thing I can say about the whole situation was Kyle and John were very honest with me the whole time," Garoppolo said. "That's their job — to put the best team together possible and you've got to respect that. So as long as the honesty and truthfulness is there, I respect those guys, I love those guys. And it's going to be a fun year this year."
Garoppolo completed 69.1 percent of his passes last season for 3.978 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. His passing-yards total ranks fourth all-time in franchise history, behind only two names — Steve Young and Jeff Garcia.
With players still barred from team facilities, Garoppolo has been organizing workout sessions at San Jose State with any teammates who might be in town on that given date. The routes being run reflect what was taught that morning from coaches via their regular Zoom video conference calls.
"I think every team is doing it in one way or another, whether it's going away somewhere or doing it at a local spot," Garoppolo said. "It's valuable whenever you get an opportunity to get on a field with guys — without coaches — and be able to talk."