It’s fascinating to learn that the Chicago Bears made a serious attempt to sign Tom Brady in 2020 when he was leaving the New England Patriots. George McCaskey’s confirmation adds an interesting layer to what could have been a franchise-altering move for the Bears. Brady eventually chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season there.
Had Brady chosen the Bears, it’s intriguing to think about how it might have changed the team’s trajectory. Chicago has struggled to find consistency at quarterback in recent years, so landing a player of Brady’s caliber could have been a game-changer for the organization. However, as McCaskey pointed out, it worked out well for Brady in Tampa Bay, where he won his seventh Super Bowl.
It’s clear the Bears ended up with a much different result after opting for **Nick Foles** in 2020 instead of landing Tom Brady. Foles, while a Super Bowl MVP with the Philadelphia Eagles, struggled to replicate that success in Chicago. His 3-5 record, combined with modest stats of 2,102 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, paled in comparison to Brady’s stellar performance with the Buccaneers.
Brady’s tenure in Tampa Bay, highlighted by a Super Bowl win, proved he could still dominate even in his 40s, posting nearly 15,000 yards and an impressive 108 TDs across three seasons. It’s hard not to think about how different Chicago’s fortunes could have been had they managed to sign Brady. The Bears’ quarterback situation remained a challenge in the years that followed, making the “what if” scenario even more compelling for fans.
Tom Brady Spoke About Bears’ Interest in Him During NFL Broadcast in Week 4
Tom Brady’s revelation during the Week 4 broadcast that he “seriously considered” joining the Chicago Bears in 2020 adds an intriguing twist to the story of his departure from the New England Patriots. Brady’s mention of the Bears’ “stealth” recruitment effort shows how close Chicago came to landing him, which must be tough for Bears fans to hear, given the potential impact he could have had.
Ultimately, Brady chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for several reasons, including proximity to his son, Jack, and the opportunity to play for Bruce Arians in an offense that featured talented players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. It was clearly the right decision for Brady, as he led Tampa to a Super Bowl win in his first season with the team.
Though missing out on Brady was disappointing, Bears fans can now find some optimism in the team’s current quarterback situation. Justin Fields, the young and talented signal-caller, shows promise and might represent the turning point the franchise has needed at the position. While Brady’s “what if” scenario stings, the Bears’ fortunes could still be on the upswing.
Bears QB Caleb Williams Finding His Footing Toward Middle of Rookie Year
If the Bears had successfully signed Tom Brady in 2020, it’s highly unlikely they would be in their current situation, potentially building around a young quarterback like Caleb Williams. Brady’s presence would have likely elevated Chicago’s performance in the short term, possibly preventing them from being bad enough to secure the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
Instead, Chicago struggled in recent years, which led to them earning the top overall selection and subsequently trading it to the Carolina Panthers. That trade gave the Bears a significant return, including wide receiver DJ Moore and the pick that eventually turned into Williams. Though Williams had a tough start, he’s been performing better recently, throwing for 824 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions over his last three games, during which the Bears have gone 2-1.
Had the Bears landed Brady, the trajectory of the franchise would likely have been vastly different, and the current optimism surrounding the development of Williams might never have materialized.
