15 January 2023 , 00:42
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The San Francisco 49ers will decide whether to move for Tom Brady after they discover their NFL playoff fate with quarterback Brock Purdy.
Brady’s 8-9 Buccaneers are remarkably preparing for a postseason run after they clinched the hapless division title, but questions have lingered over his future. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is preparing to enter free agency for just the second time in his illustrious career with his Bucs contract set to expire after the season.
Speculation has been rife regarding what Brady could do in 2023, with retirement mooted along with finding a new team. The 45-year-old has been linked with a sensational return to the New England Patriots, the franchise where he won six Super Bowls, as well as move to the Las Vegas Raiders and his hometown 49ers.
Brady has been interested in joining the 49ers at some stage in his career for some time after being inspired by Joe Montana and Jerry Rice in his youth. He was a fan of the team growing up and recalls being at Candlestick Park for ‘The Catch’.
He has been linked with a move to San Francisco, and NFL Network reporter Gregg Rosenthal believes the 49ers are set to debate over pursuing Brady or continuing with Purdy. It will likely depend on how deep into the postseason the 49ers go, given the team’s Super Bowl aspirations and the talent surrounding the young quarterback.
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Brock Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks on his NFL playoffs debut (Godofredo A Vásquez/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Purdy is the reigning ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ after he was selected with the 262nd and final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The rookie’s path has been remarkable, transitioning from third-string quarterback to starter as the replacement when sophomore Trey Lance and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo went down with injuries.
He has impressed since taking the lead gig, with the 49ers offence averaging over 30 points per game with Purdy at the helm. He is thriving thanks to a loaded roster that features the league's top-ranked defence and an offence littered with playmakers like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk.
Purdy’s 49ers welcome the Seattle Seahawks to Levi’s Stadium on Saturday night as the NFL playoffs get underway, while Brady will look to go on a run as the NFL GOAT eyes an eighth championship ring. The Buccaneers welcome the Dallas Cowboys to Raymond James stadium on Monday night.