Kyle Shanahan: 'I was serious' about pursuing Tom Brady as 49ers' QB for 2023 season

Brock Purdy has led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl 58, but it very well could hae been another signal-caller leading the team to Las Vegas: Tom Brady.

Heading into the 2023 season, there were a lot of questions of who would be San Francisco's quarterback with Purdy and 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance each coming off injuries. Purdy was the assumed starter, but after he suffered an elbow injury in the NFC championship game last season, there were questions as to whether the second-year passer would be ready by the start of the new season.

As a result, there were rumors the 49ers considered reaching out to Brady about coming out of retirement. Turns out they weren't just rumors, but something head coach Kyle Shanahan actually considered after evaluating and speaking to Purdy about his injury.

"Yes, I was serious about it," Shanahan told NBC in a story published Monday. "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 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?"

SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.

Shanahan also revealed he had talked to Purdy about the possibility of the seven-time Super Bowl champion joining the team, telling him it was giving him 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," Shanahan said. "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?'"

Ultimately, Brady didn't join the 49ers. Still, San Francisco can't hate where it's at right, playing in its second Super Bowl in five seasons and going for its first Lombardi Trophy since the 1994 season.