Chicago Bears fans, avert your eyes and ears.
While the NFL franchise has cycled through quarterbacks searching for a savior over the last few decades, they almost landed Tom Brady during his free agency chase in 2020.
Brady admitted as much on Sunday while calling the Philadelphia Eagles-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Fox.
During a break in the action, play-by-play partner Kevin Burkhardt beckoned Brady to share some interesting artifacts from that fateful offseason when the legendary quarterback ended his time with the New England Patriots and looked for a new home. Brady held up a collection of note cards that he had used to help him make that decision.
Brady said that he had “about 18 criteria” to help him decide which NFL team to sign with. Those criteria included salary (“obviously”), weather, facilities, and potential teammates. He then shared a tidbit that had not been previously reported, which is that the Bears apparently did a very good job in their recruiting pitch.
“Chicago was a team, and I’ve never told that story before, they were very stealth in their recruitment,” said Brady. “I was seriously considering, but in the end, it came down to Tampa. And it was close to my son Jack, I loved Bruce Arians and the role that he played in offense, and ultimately the great players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin that I’m still out there watching today.”
“Chicago was a team, and I’ve never told that story before, they were very stealth in their recruitment.” @TomBrady shares the notecards he had when he was making his decision in free agency 👀⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NmPpGMFKU2
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 29, 2024
After deciding on Tampa Bay, all Tom Brady did was lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory, a franchise-record 13 regular-season wins in 2021, and consecutive NFC South division crowns.
Meanwhile, the Bears went 8-8, 6-11, and 3-14 in those three seasons and spent their time attempting and failing to turn Justin Fields into their quarterback of the future.
Tom Brady after turning 40 vs. Bears all-time franchise leaders pic.twitter.com/hAX8e0ZNfY
— Jay Cuda (@JayCuda) December 12, 2023
Depending on how Caleb Williams works out, this could end up being a “what if” that will haunt Bears fans for decades.
[Fox]
