If you're like me, you're probably tired of hearing the Tom Brady/Aaron Rodgers to the 49ers discussions. Sure there was interest from Brady to play for the 49ers two years ago. San Francisco passed. It probably was a bad decision, but you can understand the thinking at the time. Brady was coming off a poor season, and looked to be struggling to throw the ball, while starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.
And then there were the rumors that the 49ers reached out to the Green Bay Packers to try to trade for Rodgers on draft day in 2021. The Packers weren't interested, so the 49ers turned to the draft, selecting Trey Lance to be their future starting quarterback. And now, it's an extreme long shot that the team could pull off a trade for Rodgers.
Brady seems like a longshot to me, as well. And with all due respect to Mike Florio, who today wrote, "Yes, I think Tom Brady will end up with the 49ers," following his proclamation that Brady would be the 49ers' quarterback in 2022, I do not think Brady will end up with the 49ers.
Now I could end up being wrong, and I have to admit, it is intriguing to consider. Though it would delay Lance's development even more, it would have to be a positive thing for him to sit under Brady for a season. Who better to learn from than the greatest winner in NFL history?
Could Brady end up with the team he rooted for as a kid?
Said Florio, "I don't know that he will. I'm not predicting that he will. But I have a feeling that he will. If he doesn't, he doesn't. If he does, many will be surprised. I won't be."
I'm not sure why Florio is making such a statement; perhaps just for clicks. It's an odd statement for sure (not a prediction, according to Florio), especially the way he packaged it, saying it was not a prediction, but rather a "feeling."
I have a feeling, and I'll make the prediction that Brady stays retired. We don't even know if his "never say never" comment was just a comment that meant nothing, or if he really was saying he might come out of retirement.
I still think it's a long shot, but here are a few things to consider:
1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs still hold Brady's rights. They, in essence, hold the cards should Brady decide he's not ready to hang up his cleats. But Florio seems to think it's not quite the obstacle many believe it to be.
"The Buccaneers hold Brady's rights," Florio wrote. "But if Brady wants out, would they deny him that opportunity? He delivered a Super Bowl win. He filled the stadium in 2021. He signed an extension last year for cap reasons. Would they tell him 'tough crap' if he asked to be traded or released?"
Maybe he's right. Maybe the Bucs would surrender Brady's rights. Or maybe they would be willing to trade him. It just doesn't seem like a Bruce Arians kind of thing to do. Granted, I don't know the guy. But I'm not sure I've ever seen him smile. And if he and Brady have a fractured relationship, as rumored, he may be less inclined to do anything nice for Brady.
And let's not forget that the 49ers are in the same conference, and were a few minutes away from getting back to the Super Bowl. Would the Bucs really let him go to a team that many believe is the best in the NFC?
2. Lance's development
I also question whether the 49ers coaches and front office would be willing to sit Lance for another year. The young signal-caller barely played his last season of college football, due to the pandemic. And then he barely played in his rookie season in the NFL (10 quarters).
In fact, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones played more in his rookie season than Lance has played in his college or professional career combined. Delaying Lance another year could be a decision the 49ers don't want to make.
But as I mentioned above, a chance to learn under Brady might be the best thing for a young quarterback like Lance. Still, it seems like the 49ers are ready for Lance's starting career to begin.
3. Two looming extensions
Another thing to consider is that the 49ers are planning to extend the contracts of wide receiver Deebo Samuel and edge rusher Nick Bosa. These are both huge extensions, that are well-deserved, for two of the top players in the league. Samuel will almost certainly be extended before training camp. Bosa could be extended this year, or perhaps next year. Neither will be cheap.
One of the reasons for moving on from Garoppolo is to clear up cap space that will allow the team to make these contract extensions. Can we expect Brady to come in and play for less than Garoppolo, his former backup, was paid?
Of course, there is the chance Brady would be willing to play for less just for the chance to win a Super Bowl with his childhood team. And we all know there are ways to manipulate the salary cap. So I guess there is a chance, but still, I just don't see it happening.
So who are you siding with, me or Mike Florio? Do you agree with my prediction, or have I crushed your dreams?
Florio declared, "Yes, I think Tom Brady will end up with the 49ers." My response: "No, I don't think Tom Brady will end up with the 49ers."
Either way, you should probably know that Florio is usually wrong about these kinds of things. But then again, so am I.