Tom Brady's plans for the 2023 season could have been hugely impacted by the play of 'Mr Irrelevant'. The last pick of the 2022 NFL draft, Brock Purdy, has been forced into the starting role for the San Francisco 49ers in recent weeks, and performed at a very high level.
Purdy was the third-string quarterback coming into the season, with Trey Lance taking over after the Niners essentially gave up three first-round picks to draft him in the 2021 draft.
In just the second week of the season though, Lance would go down with a season-ending injury, bringing former starter Jimmy Garoppolo back into the starting role.
He was performing well enough, but still showing his weaknesses in certain areas - the sort that lead to the Niners drafting Lance to take over from his spot.
Going into the 2023 season, the Niners were tipped to be interested in Brady, with Lance showing them little to assure them that he should be their long-term starter. But after Purdy's emergence, NBC Sports and long-time NFL reporter Peter King does not believe that they will consider it, potentially letting Purdy and Lance battle it out for the starting spot next season.
King said on Slow News Day with Kevin Clark: "I wonder now that you've seen what Brock Purdy can do, it would have been easy to say a month ago that 'Garoppolo's going, we've got Trey Lance, but we'd love to have Brady here for one year, maybe two.'
"But I do not know why in the world Kyle Shanahan would do that now. It just muddies the waters. There are other teams that could go in for Brady, but the only reason that Brady will play next season if he think there's a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowl. And I just do not believe that there are many teams out there that give him that opportunity to do so."
San Francisco would be an ideal landing spot for Brady. Not only did he grow up in the area, but it's very tough to argue that the Niners do not give him the best chance of winning - with their elite defence, offensive line and system, one which Brady would thrive in.
However, King does not rule out him playing elsewhere, and does believe there are scenario's which could be interesting for Brady.
He said: "Indianapolis for instance, the Colts had a chance when he want to Tampa and they said no (instead signing Phillip Rivers). But now with a more desperate management, would they welcome him in? But I truly do not know whether he'll play again or go to FOX."
