Shanahan: 49ers were interested in Brady last offseason
Brock Purdy recently made headlines by revealing that the San Francisco 49ers were interested in luring Tom Brady out of retirement during the offseason.
Purdy, who underwent elbow surgery last March, told ESPN's Nick Wagoner in January that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told him he would be the team's starter unless Brady wanted to play for them.
Shanahan confirmed to Peter King of NBC Sports he was "serious" about pursuing the legendary signal-caller and that his interest was driven by questions about Purdy's status for the start of the 2023 campaign.
"I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment," Shanahan said. "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."
He added: "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?"
Brady rebuffed San Francisco after retiring for a second time. Purdy was ultimately healthy enough to be under center in Week 1, with the 49ers bringing in veteran Sam Darnold to be his backup.
Purdy told Wagoner that while he understood needing to step aside for the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history, he was still irked after leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game - where he suffered his elbow injury - during his rookie season.
"That meant so much to me," Purdy said. "I remember him saying, if we can get Tom Brady, we're going to try to get him. And I was like, 'Yeah, he's the GOAT. I get it.' But something deep down inside me was sort of like, 'Dude, I just showed you that I can play well in this system. And we were one game away from the Super Bowl.' ... More than anything, I was like, 'OK, now let's go.'"
The former Mr. Irrelevant topped his accomplishments from last season, guiding the 49ers to a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs while being named an MVP finalist.