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Former NFL GM believes the San Francisco 49ers can land Tom Brady
Mike Tannenbaum, a former NFL general manager, knows a thing or two about luring an aging great quarterback to his team. He also understands how fast an organization can lose that signal caller.
Tannenbaum recently told Dan Patrick how the San Francisco 49ers can get Tom Brady to play for the team in 2022 based on that experience.
Mike Tannenbaum brought Brett Favre to the New York Jets in 2008 and then let him go in 2009
Mike Tannenbaum became the New York Jets general manager in 2006 after 12 years in NFL front offices.
He took over a team that had gone 4-12 the previous year and helped convert it into a playoff team in his first season.
Following another 4-12 season, Tannenbaum hired disgruntled Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre to replace Chad Pennington.
Favre only spent one season in New Jersey.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl despite leading the team to a 9-7 record.
The Minnesota Vikings — the team Favre intended to play for after leaving the Packers — recruited the then-39-year-old quarterback in the 2009 summer, and he left the Jets.
A decade later, the Tom Brady issue unfolded in a similar manner.
Brady ended up not heading to the team thought to be his first option after a storied career with the New England Patriots.
Brady “settled” for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when his boyhood team, the San Francisco 49ers, had a starting quarterback in 2020.
Brady is now “retired,” but he has left the door open to return for one more season.
If he does decide to return, the 49ers would be an excellent fit.
And Tannenbaum is well aware of what the Bay Area organization should do to attract him.
Tannenbaum detailed what the San Francisco 49ers must accomplish to land Tom Brady
Mike Tannenbaum joined Dan Patrick on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss the league’s quarterback movement.
Patrick questioned Tannenbaum if Tom Brady was “done” after talking about Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.
“No, I don’t,” Tannenbaum replied.
Brady, according to the former general manager, can still play at a high level and is a terrific competitor.
Patrick then asked Tannenbaum how he would persuade Brady to come out of retirement if he worked for the San Francisco 49ers:
That’s simple. I am unyielding. ‘This is about your legacy,’ I say. This is where you grew up.
We’ll also speak with Tampa Bay. You tell them you’re not interested in playing there.’
Unfortunately, I experienced this because Favre said, ‘Look, I want to play one more year, and I don’t want to play here anymore.’
If I were the 49ers, I would ring up Buccaneers owner Joel Glazer and just say, ‘He’s not playing there anymore.’
We’d like to sign him for another year, and we’ll give you something in exchange.’
Patrick posed the question, “What if head coach Bruce Arians and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t let him go?”
Tannenbaum reminded the host that he went through the same thing with Brett Favre, contemplating keeping him and not letting him go.
He then stated that if the player wants to play, acquiring something for him is best for the franchise at the time.
That’s how the 49ers can learn from the Favre/Jets/Vikings saga and maybe land Brady in 2022.
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With and without Tom Brady, the San Francisco 49ers
In 2021, Jimmy Garoppolo led the San Francisco 49ers to the AFC Championship game.
The 49ers have the talent to win a Super Bowl with a healthy Tom Brady, presuming his ability doesn’t fall off a cliff.
With Deebo Samuel, the squad boasts an excellent offensive line, a dynamic running game, and one of the most deadly weapons in the league.
The 49ers have a strong defense led by Nick Bosa.
If Brady returns “home” to San Francisco, it won’t be for a farewell tour.
He’ll be attempting to win his eighth Super Bowl.
Jimmy G is one of the hottest names out there right now, with the quarterback carousel whirling madly this week.
There will undoubtedly be a bidding war for his talents, and the Niners will eventually receive an offer they cannot reject.
Without Brady or Garoppolo, Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draft, will take over as the starting quarterback in 2022. In his debut season, the quarterback completed 41 of 71 passes (57.7 percent) for 603 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Lance also rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown.
These aren’t Super Bowl QB numbers, but his running adds a layer of dynamic to coach Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
The Niners have a chance if he can progress from rookie to viable starter — or perhaps star — in years one and two.
However, without Brady, a breakout year from Lance is the only way the Patriots can make a comeback in the NFC.
Pro Football Reference provided all statistics.
