Breer: Why Tom Brady to 49ers in 2023 would ‘check a lot of boxes’

It’s a pretty safe assumption that no matter what happens this season, the San Francisco 49ers will return to quarterback Trey Lance in 2023. Jimmy Garoppolo is slated to become a free agent, and the team can’t use the franchise tag on him. That means that no matter what happens in the coming months, even if Garoppolo guides the team to a Super Bowl, this is likely his last season with the 49ers.

But what if the 49ers delay a return to Lance? Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer speculates on the possibility, noting that San Francisco at least considered a different approach in January and February.

In 2020, following a Super Bowl appearance, the 49ers opted to pass on signing future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, sticking with Garoppolo. Brady went on to win a Super Bowl. He has struggled this season, which leads Breer to believe that 2022 won’t be the quarterback swan song. It’s not how the competitive player wants to go out.

Maybe head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will be influenced by that decision in 2020 to pass on Brady.

“If you’ve got this championship roster, do you put it in Trey Lance’s hands if Tom Brady knocks on the door?” Breer asked on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston (h/t KNBR). “… It’s something they discussed internally in January and February. Let’s say they win the Super Bowl … and let’s say Jimmy leaves after they win the Super Bowl, and let’s say Tom Brady wants to go there.”