NFL executive reveals where front offices expect Tom Brady to sign

Talks in NFL executive circles are pointing Tom Brady toward one very specific scenario if he chooses to return for another playing season.

Tom Brady will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, free to make a choice on what he wants to do next with his NFL career. While the possibility remains that he will retire for real this time, Brady has continually reinvented what’s possible as far as career length.

Of course, the legendary quarterback has only played for two teams to this point: The New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It seems as if his time in Tampa, whether it be via retirement or free agency, is probably over. That has yet to be confirmed officially, though.

After the last three years in Tampa, one league executive thinks that a new destination is in-line for the QB based on what he’s heard around the league.

San Francisco 49ers have a plan involving Brock Purdy and Tom Brady

The San Francisco 49ers seem to want to take a specific route with Brock Purdy’s development that resembles that of Brady or Aaron Rodgers. Brady started as a backup behind Drew Bledsoe before filling in due to injury and ultimately taking the starting job and running with it to the tune of seven championships for New England. Rodgers developed for a bit under Brett Favre in Green Bay before taking over.

Now, it seems as if the Niners want to consider moving forward with Purdy after he proved his winning ability this season. He’s 7-1 as a starter, including in the playoffs. But after being shoved into the spotlight this season, it looks like the most likely possibility is developing him under Brady.

An executive (from a non-Niners team) that spoke to Mike Sando of The Athletic revealed what the ‘chatter’ is around the Niners. Sando said many are expecting the Niners to trade Trey Lance to the Titans and use Purdy as Brady’s backup after getting Brady in free agency.

This is far from a report and seems to be an executive’s best hypothesis based on what they’ve heard from other execs, not a guarantee. So don’t expect this to happen for sure, but it is informed by plenty of context around what will transpire this offseason.

Brady, of course, grew up in San Mateo, California, 20 miles from San Francisco and 27 miles from Santa Clara, where the Niners play today.

Before this can even become a possibility, though, Brady needs to actually decide he’ll play in 2023. That’s not a guarantee. Then, the Niners will have to do the legwork on exploring a fit with the veteran QB.