It’s been long reported that Tom Brady was interested in joining the 49ers during the 2020 offseason. According to a new book, however, Brady wasn’t just interested, but had his heart set on ending his career in San Francisco.
“It’s Better To Be Feared,” a soon-to-be released book by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, reports that after the 49ers lost Super Bowl LIV, Brady called former teammate and 49ers wide receivers coach, Wes Welker, and told him that he’d like to join San Francisco and conclude his career there. Brady was an upcoming free agent and had decided his time in New England was done.
The 49ers were made aware of Brady’s desires, and Kyle Shanahan asked each of his assistant coaches to watch every single Brady throw from the 2019 season. After doing their homework, the 49ers concluded that Brady, then 42, was just marginally better than Garoppolo, and decided not to make a move.
Brady’s desire to join San Francisco came after the quarterback wrote down 20 or so elements he desired from his new team. 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 apparently requested a two-year deal worth $50 million.
Two years later, it appears the 49ers made a mistake to not make the move for Brady, who led the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl in his first season with the team last year. At the time, however, Shanahan and co.’s decision to pass on Brady seemed reasonable. Brady was coming off one of his worst years as a pro. His completion percentage was down to 60.8, his 6.8 yards per attempt was his lowest since 2006, and QBR of 55.7 was the lowest of his career.
Garoppolo, meanwhile was more than 10 years younger, had a completion percentage nearly 10 points higher and was coming off a season in which he led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.