As we approach Super Bowl LVIII, we learn more about San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan's interest in the now-retired seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.
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A few weeks ago, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy admitted that the 49ers would try to pursue and land Brady, but now, Shanahan has gone on record discussing it.
Kyle Shanahan talks about the conversation he had with Brock Purdy prior to reaching out to Tom Brady last offseason:
“Yes, I was serious about it. As we talked, I’m looking at Brock, and he’s got his arm in a sling, and I really am not sure I’ve got a quarterback who’s going to… pic.twitter.com/8V2ebtjnb9
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Shanahan provided a lengthy quote on the potential transaction in an interview with Peter King.
"Yes, I was serious about it. As we talked, I'm looking at Brock, and he's got his arm in a sling, and I really am not sure I've got a quarterback who's going to be ready for the start of the 2023 season. That started all of this."
"I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment. I let him know he's our guy long-term. No question. And if Tom Brady wanted to come here and start for one year, that's the only way you're not starting when you're healthy this year. That's pretty cool. I wanted to assure him: 'Don't worry. You're our guy. But how cool would it be if Tom Brady would be the quarterback here for one season? How cool would it be for you to learn from him?'"
"I mean, if Brock never got hurt, this wouldn't have been a consideration at all. I'd never have brought it up. But I've got to think about the team. What if he's not ready in September? ....Tom said no."
While Purdy and the 49ers are in the Super Bowl now, the context is important here. As Shanahan mentions, Purdy was in a sling at the time following an elbow injury suffered in last year's NFC Championship game. It sounded like he thought Brady would be there for a season with Purdy as the long-term answer.
Shanahan stressed that this was only considered because Purdy was hurt. Of course, Brady said no and is now headed to FOX as a broadcaster. During a media session last week, we also learned from 49ers owner Jed York that Shanahan told him in training camp the year Purdy was drafted that he was the best quarterback on the team.
Jed York chatted about Kyle Shanahan's thoughts on Brock Purdy #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/VcqaFagunl
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"He grabs me after practice like, 'Hey man, we gotta talk,' York started.
He continued saying, "He's like, 'I think our third-string quarterback's our best quarterback."
Purdy is 17-4 in his career with a 68.7% completion rate. He's thrown for 5,654 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. In two seasons, he's made the NFC Championship and both, and now, his 49ers represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII.
In the postseason, he's 4-1, completing 63.15% of his passes for 1,088 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. The one loss, of course, was in last year's NFC Championship, where he suffered an elbow injury. Following his injury, Josh Johnson entered but suffered a concussion. For the entirety of the second half, the 49ers could not complete a pass with Purdy back in, only handing the ball off.
Now, the 49ers, with Shanahan, York, and Purdy, look to hoist the Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl LVIII.
