During Sunday’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles, former Bucs quarterback Tom Brady was calling the game for Fox and talked about his decision to sign with Tampa Bay back in 2020. While revisiting his free agency, Brady revealed that there was a dark-horse team he “seriously considered” joining: the Chicago Bears.
Tom Brady Nearly Signed With Chicago Bears
Brady brought cards that he filled out back in 2020 while he was going through his free agency. He said there were 18 different criteria that he considered, and the Buccaneers checked a lot of boxes.
Specifically, Brady mentioned the salary, Tampa Bay weather, great facilities, terrific personnel, the fact that he’d be close to his son, Jack, and Bruce Arians’ coaching.
However, Brady then revealed the Bears were a team he strongly considered.
“Chicago was a team — and I’ve never told that story before — they were very stealth in their recruitment,” Brady said. “I was seriously considering them.”
At the time, Mitchell Trubisky was Chicago’s starting quarterback (and Nick Foles was acquired in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars).
NFL World Reacts To Brady’s Bombshell
This was the first time that the Bears’ interest was reported, much less that the NFL’s GOAT seriously considered joining them.
While Brady’s decision ultimately worked out since he and the Bucs won the Super Bowl in their first season together, many people were surprised to learn about the Bears’ failed pursuit of Brady.
TOM BRADY just said the Chicago Bears were a stealth team in free agency. He ALMOST signed with them.
Can you imagine??? Tom Brady in Chicago!!!
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) September 29, 2024
Many pointed out that these were the kind of stories and insights that they expected to hear from Brady on broadcasts. This was easily his best game since making the transition to the booth, and he certainly seemed to have more interesting things to add since he was discussing his former team.
This has been Tom Brady's best performance so far for Fox.
He's been loose, funny, his cadence is better.
Love how he shot down Baker Mayfield by reminding him what really matters (Rings).
The story about almost joining Bears as a free agent was great stuff too.
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) September 29, 2024
Bears fans were understandably heartbroken to learn just how close they came to landing the GOAT, especially given the horrible quarterback play they have had over the years.
Bears fans when they hear they almost got Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/vJjjBsNax9
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) September 29, 2024
Some eagle-eyed viewers zoomed in on Brady’s free-agency notes, which he showed to the camera. It appears the Bears were only offering $10 million a year, whereas the Buccaneers offered $27.5 million.
This also lines up with Brady’s comment that the Bucs had the advantage when it came to his salary.
🚨BREAKING: It appears the #Bears only offered Tom Brady 10 million dollars to sign with them and free agency of 2020.
😳😳😳
Tampa offered him 27.5m. CHICAGO BEING CHEAP MAY HAVE COST THEM A SUPER BOWL. pic.twitter.com/7y887JbTss
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 29, 2024
Given how excellent Brady looked in Tampa Bay, the Bears must be kicking themselves that they weren’t able to get their negotiations with Brady across the finish line.
Quite a revelation by Tom Brady that the Bears were nearly his choice to sign in free agency in the 2020 offseason.
.
How fate might have changed for so many had he chosen to continue his career in Chicago. https://t.co/LgVpAitYEM— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) September 29, 2024
MORE: Former Tom Brady Teammate Has Hot Take on GOAT Debate
Throughout his three years in Tampa, Brady totaled 14,643 yards, 114 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions.
The Bucs became the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium.