Teasing Bears

The latest on Tom Brady’s near-signing with the Chicago Bears came to light during a recent broadcast where Brady himself revealed that he had seriously considered signing with the Bears as a free agent before ultimately choosing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This revelation was made during Fox’s broadcast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Philadelphia Eagles game in Week 4 of the 2024 season. Here are some key points from the information available up to September 29, 2024:

– **Decision Making**: Brady had created 18 criteria for each franchise he was considering after leaving the New England Patriots. The Bears were one of the teams he was close to signing with, indicating that they met many of his criteria, which might have included factors like team infrastructure, coaching staff, or personal reasons like proximity to New York for his family.

– **What-If Scenarios**: If Brady had signed with the Bears, it would have significantly altered the NFL landscape. The Bears, who had a rocky start in 2020 with Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles at quarterback, might have seen a different trajectory with Brady at the helm.

– **Public Reaction**: The revelation caused a stir among fans and analysts, with many expressing shock and contemplating how different the Bears’ and Buccaneers’ paths might have been. This news was especially poignant given the Bears’ history and their performance in recent years.

– **Historical Context**: This isn’t the first time Brady’s potential move to the Bears has been discussed. Back in 2020, there were reports that Brady had considered the Bears, among other teams, before signing with Tampa Bay. However, this recent acknowledgment by Brady himself adds a new layer to these historical speculations.

– **Impact on Legacy**: While speculating about what could have been, this near-signing doesn’t change Brady’s storied career with the Buccaneers, where he led them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season, significantly impacting his legacy and that of the franchise.

The information from both web results and X posts (now known as posts on X) around the time of Brady’s comment highlights a fascination with alternate realities in sports, where a single decision can lead to vastly different outcomes for teams and players involved. This narrative not only showcases Brady’s consideration for various factors in his career decision but also underscores the Bears’ perennial quest for a franchise quarterback that could elevate them back to championship contention.