3 Tom Brady backup plans for every team that was interested

49ers backup plans after Tom Brady retirement

The San Francisco 49ers were one quarterback away from pushing the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game last Sunday. Unfortunately, the Kyle Shanahan curse reared its ugly head again.

The Niners have gotten consistently unlucky with their QB situation, falling victim to injury and poor play when it matters most. They traded up for Trey Lance, who remains an unproven commodity. Brock Purdy fell into their lack, but he’ll undergo Tommy John surgery. Jimmy Garoppolo led them to a Super Bowl, but failed to make the one critical deep pass which could’ve won them the game.

Where should they go from here?

49ers backup plan: Re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo

We’ve been down this road before, and it’s likely a path Garoppolo doesn’t want to go down. He’d be sitting behind Trey Lance, who would enter training camp as the unquestioned starter. Garoppolo gives the Niners some depth in a worst-case scenario, but little more.

Kyle Shanahan remains convinced that Lance can be a game-changing talent in this league, despite having little starting experience even in college at North Dakota State. But given Lance’s injury history, the 49ers need some insurance behind him. If Garoppolo is fine being a backup again, then this is a deal San Francisco should sign up for.

49ers backup plan: Sign Case Keenum

Made you look.

Even I didn’t expect to write Case Keenum’s name in an article about Brady’s retirement, but the veteran does have starting experience. If Garoppolo moves on, Keenum would be the perfect backup who knows his role and could learn Shanahan’s offense rather quickly. He’s gotten glowing reviews in Buffalo backing up Josh Allen. There would not be a battle between he and Lance, but rather Keenum would serve as a resource to the young QB as he learns the ropes in training camp.

49ers backup plan: Trade for Aaron Rodgers

Trading for Aaron Rodgers would require two first-round picks, per Adam Schefter. The NFL insider also noted that the Packers would prefer not to trade Rodgers within the NFC, if they can control that factor.

But Rodgers is a California native. He went to college at Cal, and was passed up by the 49ers in the NFL Draft in favor for Alex Smith. It’s safe to say he never forgave San Francisco for that…until now. The 49ers have always had Rodgers number in the postseason. It might be time for them to join forces.