The San Francisco 49ers had an opportunity to draft Tom Brady in the 2000 NFL Draft.
The Michigan alumnus had solid credentials during his senior year, including a victory in the Orange Bowl.
Choosing him would also be central casting because the kid who grew up to be a 49ers fan would suit up for his dream team.
Brady grew up in San Mateo, California, and watched Niners games with his dad at Candlestick Park.
He was there when Dwight Clark made “The Catch” during the 1981 NFC Championship Game.
However, Brady’s performance during the Scouting Combine made teams, including the 49ers, turn away from him.
Instead, San Francisco selected Hofstra’s Giovanni Carmazzi in the third round, 64 spots behind top overall selection Courtney Brown.
It turned out to be a disappointing decision as Carmazzi never appeared in a regular season game.
Meanwhile, Brady won six Super Bowls in 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Two decades later, the 49ers had the chance to make things right.
They didn’t, and they will suffer the repercussions.
During the 2020 free-agency, Kyle Shanahan wanted the #49ers to sign then free-agent QB Tom Brady.
But Shanahan was eventually talked out of it by others in the building, @mlbomraito told @PatMcAfeeShow
Brady grew up a 49ers. pic.twitter.com/1FCLKFddyX
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 2, 2022
NFL insider Dov Kleiman tweeted, “During the 2020 free-agency, Kyle Shanahan wanted the #49ers to sign then free-agent QB Tom Brady. But Shanahan was eventually talked out of it by others in the building, @mlbomraito told @PatMcAfeeShow.”
What Could Have Been
It would be an honor for him to don the 49ers uniform while he channels his Joe Montana.
More importantly, the influx of talent that came to the Buccaneers should have descended on San Francisco.
If Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, Ndamukong Suh, and Jason Pierre-Paul would have signed with the 49ers, they could have won the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl.
That might be Brady’s sweetest victory because it would have fulfilled a childhood dream.
Instead, the 49ers gambled on Trey Lance to be their starter this season.
However, retaining Jimmy Garoppolo on a restructured contract should plant the seed of doubt on how Lance is really coming along.
NEXT: Former 49ers TE Thinks They Can Win The Super Bowl