Tom Brady announces NFL retirement ‘for good,’ ending 49ers speculation
Brady announces retirement ‘for good’ amid 49ers speculation originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — The day the 49ers cleared out their lockers, a veteran considered the possibility of Tom Brady becoming a teammate.
“If he wants to play, isn’t this the team he would want to play for?” the player asked on Tuesday.
A day later, before many West Coasters had even gotten out of bed, Brady put all the speculation to rest: “I’m retiring — for good.”
Brady’s retirement message on social media may not have surprised many players in the 49ers locker room.
Following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the NFC Playoffs, the players spoke to each other about how in that game Brady looked “selfless” and “detached.”
The player reflected, “Did he just get over this situation (in Tampa)?”
No, he had finished. Period.
Brady’s announcement ends all speculation that he could end his career in the Bay Area, where he grew up. And that also seems to make the situation for the 49ers quarterback a little clearer.
After all, if the seven-time Super Bowl champion wants to play for your team, regardless of age, you need to listen and have a serious conversation.
Brady’s retirement gives coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch one less option to consider.
There was no doubt that rookie Brock Purdy played well enough to win the quarterback job. He also earned the respect and admiration of his teammates.
There would be upset players in the locker room if someone other than Purdy was named starting quarterback after what he showed in the second half of the season.
He did everything to earn the job after entering the lineup on Dec. 4 to replace Jimmy Garoppolo, who suffered a season-ending broken foot that day.
From the time he became the 49ers’ quarterback in Week 13, Purdy produced in a big way while doing his part in eight wins during the team’s 12-game winning streak.
The story continues
He completed 141 of 224 pass attempts (63%) for 1,877 yards with 16 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 107.7 passer rating during that streak.
If there’s any uncertainty about the identity of the 49ers’ starting quarterback for the 2023 season, it’s more of a health issue at this point.
Purdy suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in the season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. He said he was considering all options – with varying recovery timelines.
RELATED: 49ers Overreactions: Purdy’s Injury Worse Than Eagles Loss
The injury and expected surgery will almost certainly keep him out of the field for the 49ers offseason program. Third-year Trey Lance is likely to return to the No. 1 quarterback role in the spring when the 49ers reconvene for offseason practices.
Shanahan must decide how to proceed with the team’s quarterback situation from here.
At least now everyone knows that Tom Brady doesn’t count in the equation.
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