Kyle Shanahan Insists 49ers Were Serious About Signing Tom Brady Before 2023 Season

The San Francisco 49ers coach said the team had legitimate interest in the seven-time Super Bowl champion as Brock Purdy rehabilitated an elbow injury.

The Tom Brady—San Francisco 49ers connection was more than just a pipe dream.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan elaborated on his team’s rumored interest in the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, emphasizing how “serious” he was about the potential move last offseason.

Shanahan considered bringing in Brady because 49ers starter Brock Purdy was working his way back from an injury suffered in last year’s NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite the presence of a first-round draft pick in Trey Lance.

“Yes, I was serious about it,” Shanahan told NBC’s Peter King in a story posted Monday. “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 [wasn't] ready in September?”

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According to Shanahan, he and Purdy had a discussion about Purdy’s status as the team’s starter early last offseason. Purdy was rehabilitating the elbow injury suffered in the NFC title game, and his availability for Week 1 of the 2023 season was uncertain.

From Shanahan’s point of view, going after Brady paid Purdy “the biggest compliment.”

“I let [Brock] know he’s our guy long term. No question,” Shanahan told King. “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?’”

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said his team had legitimate interest in Tom Brady while Brock Purdy was recovering from injury :: Jeremy Reper/USA TODAY Sports

Ultimately, Brady never joined the 49ers, though his potential signing may be one of the biggest “what if” moments for the franchise.

Shanahan and 49ers general manager John Lynch also reportedly discussed trying to sign Brady back in 2020 after he parted ways with the Patriots. The then-43-year-old ended up in Tampa Bay instead and won his seventh Super Bowl that season.

The 49ers’ brass may regret not taking the gamble back then, but they couldn’t have asked for a better hand in 2023 with a healthy Purdy and a dazzling supporting cast. When San Francisco plays the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, the 49ers will have a late-round draft pick under center, after all. He’s just not named Tom Brady.