NFL exec offers Tom Brady, Trey Lance 49ers-Titans theory

Whispers linking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady with the San Francisco 49ers are growing louder following the injury to rookie Brock Purdy.

On the same day it was learned that Purdy could be sidelined for at least six months with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, The Athletic's Mike Sando wrote that one unnamed executive from another club believes the 49ers will sign Brady in free agency, have Purdy serve as the veteran's primary backup, and trade 2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance to the Tennessee Titans.

"That is the chatter," the executive explained. "They have the defense already, Brady wants to win one more, and this is right up the 49ers’ alley." 

There's plenty to unpack here. 

Lance went down with a campaign-ending ankle injury in September and has thrown only 102 career regular-season passes. 

A different anonymous executive told Sando that Lance doesn't have "enough value right now to trade him," and ESPN's Nick Wagoner and former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum said last week that the Niners trading Lance at this point is "unlikely." 

However, NFL insider Jason La Canfora thought before Purdy's setback that it was possible the 49ers could make Lance available this offseason, especially if they sign Brady after the new league year opens in March. 

"That’s (Brady's) hometown team, he grew up cheering for them and his family is there," La Canfora remarked about Brady potentially relocating to San Francisco. La Canfora offered that take before NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed on Monday that "it's more likely that (Brady) comes back" for another season than not. 

Brady hasn't publicly closed the door on staying with the Buccaneers.

Meanwhile, Sando added that the 49ers trading Lance "could make sense if the value were right." Sando also pointed out that new Titans general manager Ran Carthon spent the past six seasons with the 49ers. 

Rapoport previously mentioned the Titans as a potential landing spot for Brady before Carthon declined to commit to Ryan Tannehill as Tennessee's starter during an introductory news conference. 

Nick Suss of The Nashville Tennessean wrote on Jan. 20 that the Titans could save $27 million against the salary cap if they waive or trade Tannehill after June 1.

For what it's worth, one agent "who represents other quarterbacks" predicted to Sando that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will "have Purdy compete with Lance, and the job will be Purdy’s to lose." That agent also said the Niners will "be open to a Lance trade, knowing that is a long shot." 

In short, it seems the 49ers will once again repeatedly generate headlines regarding their quarterback situation ahead of a Super Bowl.