Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback known for his two-decade-long dynasty with the New England Patriots, faced a pivotal decision at the end of the 2019 NFL season. After bringing six Super Bowl titles to New England, Brady chose to move on, embarking on a new journey that would ultimately lead him to more glory. But as it turns out, the decision wasn't as straightforward as it seemed.
While Brady eventually chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he enjoyed immediate success, taking the team to a Super Bowl victory and winning three NFC South titles, the road to that decision involved a lot more deliberation. On Sunday, Brady shed light on a piece of his journey that few knew: he seriously considered joining the Chicago Bears.
Fans across the NFL remember how numerous teams lined up for a shot at signing the GOAT. The Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders were among the many franchises courting the then 42-year-old quarterback. Brady's ultimate choice of Tampa seemed perfect - a winning decision that silenced critics and brought glory to his new team. But the Chicago Bears' interest, a detail kept under wraps until now, adds a fascinating twist to the narrative.
On the broadcast of the Eagles-Buccaneers game, Brady, now in his new role as a FOX analyst, revealed that the Bears had been a serious contender for his services. "There were a lot of reasons to choose Tampa," Brady said. "I made about 18 criteria why. Salary, the weather, facilities, and, of course, the players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But I'll tell you something I haven't shared before - Chicago was very stealth in their recruitment, and I was seriously considering them."
Chicago was discreetly recruiting Brady
It turns out Chicago's pitch had Brady thinking long and hard. The team had kept their recruitment efforts under the radar, and Brady appreciated their approach. But ultimately, Tampa Bay's proximity to his son, Jack, and the offensive vision under head coach Bruce Arians helped seal the deal.
As Brady shared these previously unknown details, it's easy to imagine how things might have been different for Chicago. Bears fans, enduring a tough stretch and hoping their latest quarterback pick, Caleb Williams, can emulate even a fraction of Brady's success, were left wondering how close they came to having the GOAT under center.
For the Bears and their fans, the revelation was bittersweet. Tom Brady wearing a Bears uniform was almost a reality - a tantalizing "what if" for a franchise that hasn't found consistent quarterback success in recent years. The football world may never know how things would have turned out, but for now, Chicago can only wonder about the dynasty that almost was.
