A new book has revealed that Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ star quarterback Tom Brady wanted to join the San Francisco 49ers during the 2020 offseason. The 44-year-old spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots before joining Tampa in 2020.
Tom Brady wanted to end his career in San Francisco, ‘It’s Better To Be Feared’, a soon-to-be released book by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, reveals. It further adds that the’100th Anniversary All-Time Team’ player called 49ers wide receivers coach Wes Welker and made him aware of his desire.
Also read: NFL: Tom Brady-Bill Belichick showdown likely to be most heavily bet game
The San Francisco 49ers had lost Super Bowl LIV in 2019 and hiring Brady, who was a free agent, could have been a massive boost.
As per the book, the 49ers head coach asked his assistant coaches to watch every single Brady throw from the 2019 season. After analysing the data, the team concluded that the then-New England Patriots player, 42 years old, was just marginally better than their quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and decided not to make a move.
Also Read | Super Bowl 2022: Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg to headline halftime show
Brady, as per reports, requested a two-year deal worth $50 million.
The quarterback had informed Welker that if the 49ers wanted him, there would be ‘no free-agency tour, no bidding war, full stop; he would 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.
Also Read | Richard Sherman says he will be joining Tom Brady at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After the 49ers passed on him, Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in his first season with the team.
Garoppolo, on the other hand, sustained a high-ankle sprain and appeared in just six games.