NFL insider reveals how much Tom Brady could cost 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady grew up a fan of the San Francisco 49ers but may not be willing to give that club a discount this offseason. 

According to David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport explained during a Monday appearance on San Francisco sports radio station KNBR that Brady "would consider" joining the 49ers if he leaves the Buccaneers and hits free agency when the new league year opens in March. 

"My sense, in talking to people close to him, is it's more likely that he comes back than not," Rapoport said about Brady on the "Murph & Mac" program. 

The 49ers lost a second consecutive NFC Championship Game on Sunday and have far more questions than answers at quarterback following the 31-7 defeat at the Philadelphia Eagles. 2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury back in Week 2 and has thrown a total of just 102 career regular-season passes. Jimmy Garoppolo hasn't played since he went down with a broken foot on Dec. 4 and is on track to reach free agency in March. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday afternoon that 49ers rookie signal-caller Brock Purdy suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Sunday and could be sidelined for six months regardless of his decision about having surgery to repair that setback. 

In short, Brady may be able to name his asking price if 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is interested in landing the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

"If Tom Brady tells the 49ers, 'I would only want to be with you guys,' they would probably have to consider it," Rapoport remarked. "I don't know that that would be their number one option. They have someone who they really like as a potential starter (Purdy) who is extremely cheap. Tom Brady typically has played for $30 million the last couple of years. My guess is that is about what it would [cost the 49ers]. He's not going to come back for a $1 million minimum salary. He's just not. He's never been willing to do that, and he's just not." 

Earlier on Monday before Schefter's update regarding Purdy, retired NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson called the 49ers signing Brady a "dream scenario" for a club that's twice been a win away from making a Super Bowl return since January 2022. Brady hasn't yet confirmed he'll play another season with any team, and it's thought he could stay in Florida to remain close to his children after he and Gisele Bündchen announced their divorce on Oct. 28.