Buccaneers' Tom Brady neither denies, confirms he could play for 49ers in 2023

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady had little to say Sunday on speculation that he could sign with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in March. 

After the Bucs lost, 35-7, at San Francisco, NFL insider Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle asked Brady if he would join the 49ers in the offseason. 

"I don’t go there," Brady responded. "I’m just trying to get this right and see what we can possibly accomplish. We’ve got four games to figure this out, and we’ve got a lot of work to do." 

Silver also asked Brady if this might be the last time the 45-year-old plays a meaningful game at San Francisco's stadium. 

"I don’t know," Brady answered.  

Brady grew up in California a passionate 49ers fan and was linked with the organization in rumors before and after his 40-day winter retirement. 

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently suggested that Brady heading to San Francisco when the new league year opens in March 2023 "would check a lot of boxes." 

Jason Cole of Outkick reported last week that at least two NFL general managers expect the 49ers "to seriously inquire" about Brady and Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers after the season. 

It's unknown if Brady would temporarily relocate to California for even one campaign after Gisele Bündchen, his ex-wife, reportedly purchased a home in the Miami Beach area. Bündchen's decision presumably would keep Brady's children in Florida while he's busy tending to football-related matters next fall either as an active QB or a broadcaster. 

The 49ers have lost QBs Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to serious injuries this season and now have Brock Purdy, the last pick of this year's draft, serving as their starter.   

Per ESPN Stats & Info, Brady began Monday fourth in the league with 3,585 passing yards but is 23rd among qualified players with a 51.1 total QBR. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has thrown 17 touchdown passes with five interceptions across 13 games. 

Tampa Bay fell to 6-7 Sunday but leads the terrible NFC South. 

On Sunday, the Bucs host Cincinnati.