Could Tom Brady leave Buccaneers for 49ers?

The future of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is very much in question following Sunday's playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams that ended Brady's pursuit of a repeat championship and an eighth career Super Bowl title. Brady, who turns 45 years old in August, did not commit to playing out the final season of his contract shortly after Sunday's disappointing defeat, and head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Monday the organization will give the signal-caller "all the time he needs" to make a final call on playing later this year. 

However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio speculated on Monday afternoon Brady could be looking to orchestrate an exit from the Buccaneers so he can join a different team. Specifically, Florio mentioned the San Francisco 49ers as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer, who, in this scenario, would serve as an upgrade over starter Jimmy Garoppolo and as a mentor for rookie Trey Lance. 

"Well, his first choice two years ago was San Francisco," Florio explained. "How about a year for Brady, as Trey Lance continues to develop? Lance would get to watch and learn from the best ever for a year. And the 49ers, a final-four team despite having a quarterback who isn’t even in the top 20, could add Brady to a highly-talented roster and a brilliant coaching staff (his former teammate, Wes Welker, works there) and finally get their sixth Super Bowl win."

As for Brady being attached to the Buccaneers via his deal, Florio added: "Maybe, when he agreed to extend his contract last year, he sought and received a wink-nod commitment that he’ll be released, if he asks to be, after 2021." 

As noted by NBC Sports Boston, Brady grew up in California a passionate 49ers fan, and Arians admitted on Monday his team will have an offseason "reload" that likely includes several starters moving on to different teams when the new NFL year opens in March. Florio openly said in his piece that he's merely spitballing, but it cannot be ignored Brady is coming off a season where he led the NFL in multiple categories and was potentially one defensive stop away from returning to the NFC Championship Game.

Brady believing he can guide a different and better roster to a title in February 2023 isn't all that far-fetched.