The San Francisco 49ers were adamant that Brock Purdy would be their starting quarterback heading into the 2023 season. That doesn't mean the team didn't have to at least look into other options in case Purdy wasn't available to start Week 1.
One of those options being discussed was an attempt to entice Tom Brady out of retirement to play a single season for his hometown and childhood team.
Purdy, recovering from major surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, sustained during the NFC Championship Game, left uncertainty about his availability for the start of the regular season. While the 49ers were optimistic about his recovery, the uncertainty led them to consider a bold move: adding the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
"Yes, I was serious about it," head coach Kyle Shanahan told Peter King of NBC Sports. "As we talked, I'm looking at Brock, and he's got his arm in a sling, and I really am not sure I've got a quarterback who's going to be ready for the start of the 2023 season. That started all of this."
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch engaged in discussions, but nothing materialized. While Purdy believed he had earned the starting role through his rookie play, helping guide the 49ers to the doorstep of another Super Bowl appearance, the young quarterback certainly understood the desire to add someone like Brady to a championship-ready roster.
"I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment," Shanahan said. "I let him know he's our guy long-term. No question. And if Tom Brady wanted to come here and start for one year, that's the only way you're not starting when you're healthy this year. That's pretty cool. I wanted to assure him, 'Don't worry. You're our guy. But how cool would it be if Tom Brady would be the quarterback here for one season? How cool would it be for you to learn from him?'
"I mean, if Brock never got hurt, this wouldn't have been a consideration at all. I'd never have brought it up. But I've got to think about the team. What if he's not ready in September?"
Lynch also spoke on the topic this past week, saying, "So when it first happened, we're really searching, like, 'What are we going to do at quarterback? We don't know if we're going to have Brock back.' Trey [Lance] had been hurt as well. He kind of [sustained] a vicious ankle injury, and that didn't look really good. So we had to look at all our options."
Lynch continued, "But it wasn't us saying to Brock, 'Hey, we're bringing in Brady. If not, maybe you're the starter,'" Lynch clarified. "It was, I think, more of a sign of belief in him that, 'Hey, you took us [far] in your rookie year. We believe that you're our guy. As you're healing up, just understand we may have to go secure some other options.'"
It turned out Purdy was ready for Week 1. Surprisingly, the recovering quarterback was prepared for the start of training camp, long before anyone expected him to suit up for practices. The second-year player had a phenomenal season, throwing for 4,280 passing yards—a single-season franchise record—and earning a spot as an MVP finalist.
Most importantly, the 49ers are back in the Super Bowl thanks in part to Purdy's efforts. They will compete for the team's sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday.
