As soon as the postseason started, and Tom Brady’s playoff run ended with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, speculation on where the best quarterback to play the game would end up began to heat up.
The first landing spot to make sense was with the Las Vegas Raiders. After all, Brady’s former offensive coordinator from his New England days — Josh McDaniels —was now the head coach set up nicely in the Mojave Desert. Getting the band that won six Super Bowls together makes sense. Add in the 2021 revelation Raiders owner Mark Davis wanted to sign Brady then, to only be thwarted by then head coach Jon Gruden, and the speculation made some sense.
After the Raiders decided to bench their nine-year starter Derek Carr the final two weeks of the season, signaling they were ready to move on from their former franchise quarterback, many believed it was just a matter of time before Patriots West would be a reality and the newly divorced Brady would close out his career in Sin City.
Not so fast.
When looking at the opportunities for Brady in 2023, it’s clear Las Vegas and the current Raiders lack what Brady would need from the get-go. A team ready to win now.
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The 49ers came within one game — and a healthy QB — from another Super Bowl appearance. After losing season starter Trey Lance to an ankle injury, they also lost backup and former Super Bowl starter Jimmy Garoppolo to a broken left foot.
That’s when the storybook season for Brock Purdy began. The last pick in the 2022 draft went 7-0 and led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. Purdy then suffered a complete UCL tear in his throwing elbow during Sunday’s NFC Championship Game and will require surgery.
Purdy is expected to miss at least six months but the team hopes he can be ready for training camp, according to numerous reports.
While the jury is still out on how quickly the Raiders can build under McDaniels and former Patriots general manager Dave Ziegler, Brady doesn’t have 2-3 years to make a run at another Super Bowl.
Here are the five reasons why the 49ers are a better suitor than the Raiders to sign Brady this offseason.
The 49ers’ winning culture will entice Tom Brady
The 49ers have established a winning culture and history of success while the Raiders are still trying to find their way with a new GM and head coach.
While much is made of Brady’s prior relationship with Josh McDaniels, the soon-to-be 46-year-old is motivated by one thing: winning. San Francisco was a game and QB away from the Super Bowl this season and the Raiders have a longer path.
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San Francisco has a robust and proven coaching staff
While McDaniels struggled mightily in his return to the head coaching slot with the Raiders, the 49ers have a top-notch coaching staff led by Kyle Shanahan, who has a proven track record of great of winning and for his offensive prowess. Brady will have the opportunity to work with one of the best offensive minds in the league on an offense with a top-tier line already in place.
A more complete supporting cast for Tom Brady
The 49ers have a strong supporting cast, including talented wide receivers, an excellent offensive line and a dominant defense.
Brady will have the tools he needs to be successful in San Francisco from Day 1. As for the Raiders, tey have a potentially potent offense. They also have one of the lowest-rated defenses, which could take multiple seasons to reach middle-of-the-pack status.
System is familiar enough and moldable for Tom Brady
Brady can easily fit into the 49ers’ offense. While not the same offense Brady has run in Tampa and New England, they share the same basic structure. That includes running the ball to set up high-percentage intermediate routes – which has been his bread and butter.
Bay Area offers bigger media market and business opportunities
While Vegas has a certain allure no other city can provide, the Bay Area might make more sense for Brady and his various business dealings. As he’s already signed a multi-year deal with Fox Sports to move behind the mic post-career, he might have more opportunities with his brands in the Bay Area vs the smaller Las Vegas market.
He also have family considerations when it comes to his kids and his ex-wife and a destination both sides can agree to for family reasons.
While signing with the Raiders offers many attractive options (including no income tax for his home games), if the 49ers decide to develop Trey Lance or Brock Purdy more slowly, he certainly could fit nicely in San Francisco.
The team could push to “win now” on the arm of the San Mateo native helping bring a championship back to the Bay Area while Tom Brady ends his career with his eighth Super Bowl win.