3 reasons why 49ers won’t trade for Tom Brady this offseason

No. 1: 49ers feel comfortable rolling with Trey Lance in 2022

Even if Tom Brady wants to join the 49ers, do the Niners actually want him? Remember, San Francisco had a shot to sign Brady in NFL free agency entering 2020 but elected to stick with Jimmy Garoppolo instead, leading to Brady joining Tampa Bay.

This time around, it’s Trey Lance who might be an obstacle in the way of a would-be trade for Brady’s rights.

Lance sat behind Garoppolo for all but two starts last season, flashing both reasons to be excited and concerns about his overall rawness coming out of North Dakota State. A full year immersed in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, however, bodes well to Lance being ready enough to take on full-time starting duties in 2022.

So, that prompts the question: Do the 49ers feel as if now is the time to fully deploy Lance, or would Brady be a bona fide better option even if it means relegating Lance to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart for another year?

Maybe. Maybe not. There have been as many reports from insiders, both locally and nationally, suggesting Lance is ready to start now.

At the same time, Brady is Brady, and the chance for Lance to be mentored by the greatest quarterback of all time has its merits, too.

Only if the Niners are interested in making that happen, though, and it’s perfectly logical to assume they’re not.