Tom Brady has been tipped to join the San Francisco 49ers next season when he is set to become a free agent with his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to expire.
Brady will have spent three years with the Buccaneers after 20 seasons in Massachusetts with the New England Patriots, winning a combined seven Super Bowl's, and could challenge for another should he join the 49ers.
The Niners have been a Super Bowl calibre roster throughout the past few years, but the team has struggled with subpar play from the quarterback position, with Jimmy Garoppolo doing just enough to elevate them to the play-offs, but conversely, not enough to win big games.
Although at the age of 45, Brady remains playing at an extremely high level, being let down by his receivers and poor offensive line play this season with the Buccaneers. The Niners would offer a much-improved offensive line to protect him, whilst having some of the more elite weapons in the NFL, with Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle being some of the best players at their respective position in the NFL.
And FOX Sports talk show host Colin Cowherd has stated that he believes Brady will consider joining next summer.
Cowherd said: "Has anyone considered that the Niners went and got Christian McCaffery, that they did it for Brady?
"Brady likes veteran pass-catchers. It takes him a long-time to get comfortable with receivers. They have Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk. Brady is frustrated in Tampa Bay, he has openly complained on his podcast about the team being unprepared.
"The Niners are in a weird position at quarterback. You have Trey Lance, and you have no idea if he can play. And then you have Jimmy Garoppolo and worry about if he gets outplayed in big games.
"Brady has no ties to Florida and has lots in San Francisco - his parents live there. Kyle Shanahan knows Brady, John Lynch knows Brady."
Brady is from the San Francisco area, growing up and studying at high school just outside the city before studying at Michigan where he played college football.
Brady has long been linked to a move to San Francisco, and reportedly considered it when he decided to sign with the Buccaneers in 2020.
