“We’ll leave it at that” – 49ers GM John Lynch reveals he reached out to Tom Brady
The San Francisco 49ers were one game shy of making the Super Bowl this past season, but they are entering the 2023-204 season with a major question at the quarterback position. Who will start for the team to begin the season?
Third-year quarterback Trey Lance was set to be their franchise guy last season, as he took over duties at the position after the team demoted Jimmy Garoppolo to being the backup.
However, a fractured ankle in Week 2 derailed Lance's breakout year and Garoppolo took over as the team's starter for most of the season. In Week 13, he suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Rookie Brock Purdy took over and led the team on a remarkable run going 5-0 and lead them to the NFC Championship.
Following a UCL tear in his elbow in the NFC Championship game, the team has no clue who will start the season at quarterback. General manager John Lynch said that the team will look into signing a veteran QB this off-season and even mentioned Tom Brady.
Via Rick Stroud, Lynch said:
“I sent him a text when he retired. He was a teammate for about three weeks at one point [in 2008], so I sent him a text, just congratulations on one of the greatest careers that I’ve ever seen in any sport, and I wished him the best. So, we’ll leave it at that."
49ers GM John Lynch said they will have to consider signing a veteran QB this year with the uncertainty to Brock Purdy and Trey Lance coming off injuries. Lynch was asked about Tom Brady. “I sent him a text when he retired,” Lynch said. “He was a teammate for about…
three weeks at one point [in 2008], so I sent him a text, just congratulations on one of the greatest careers that I’ve ever seen in any sport, and I wished him the best. So, we’ll leave it at that.”
Indeed we will. For now.
Would Tom Brady join the San Francisco 49ers?
Tom Brady retired for a second off-season, and seems set to retire this time. After some believed Brady to be returning for a 24th season, he took to Twitter to announce the news on February 1 in a 50-second long video.
He said that he will begin his Fox sports career as a color commentator in the Fall of 2024. It seems unlikely that he will return to the field, but it isn't completely out of the picture.
Maybe the 49ers will re-sign Jimmy G for another year to begin the season as a starter if Lance and Purdy aren't ready to go.
Other free agent quarterbacks that will be available on the market include Baker Mayfield. Sam Darnold and Derek Carr. The team could also select a quarterback in the draft.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Rick Stroud, John Lynch, and H/T Sportskeeda