Insider: 49ers 'to seriously inquire' about Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers in 2023

An NFL insider is linking the San Francisco 49ers with both Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers. 

"Two general managers said last week they expect the 49ers to seriously inquire about Brady and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers depending on whether either or both of those quarterbacks decide to move on," Jason Cole of Outkick reports. 

"The Brady scenario is easy, he’s (a free agent after the season)," one general manager told Cole. "Rodgers has more moving parts because you don’t know what kind of Zen thought he’s going to have. He might say he wants out. I could also see the Packers moving on to Jordan Love if they can figure out the cap situation. But everybody knows the 49ers need a quarterback to win now." 

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is on track to hit free agency following the campaign and is essentially out indefinitely with a broken foot. San Francisco Week 1 starter Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury back in September and thus far has only thrown 102 regular-season passes since entering the league via the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Cole isn't the first person to link Brady with the 49ers this fall, but it's also been said the seven-time Super Bowl champion will want to remain close to his children. Gisele Bündchen, Brady's ex-wife, reportedly purchased a home in the Miami Beach area after it was learned the pair agreed to a divorce. 

Brady could retire from playing and begin a new career working as lead NFL analyst for Fox Sports as soon as January or February. 

As for Rodgers, he signed a massive contract extension with the Packers this past March, and Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed earlier this week he "absolutely" wants the future Hall of Famer to remain with the organization. Rodgers, like Brady, is originally from California and also has a reported history of at least considering asking to be traded elsewhere during offseasons.  

"That roster has been really great for four years," the second general manager told Cole about the 49ers. "If it ends up that they only get to one Super Bowl with that group, it’s going to haunt (coach) Kyle (Shanahan) and (owner) Jed (York). They’re going to be desperate for a quarterback this offseason. That’s how I see it." 

The 8-4 49ers have rookie Brock Purdy, the last pick of this year's draft, starting at quarterback for this Sunday's game against none other than Brady and the 6-6 Buccaneers.