Keyshawn Johnson mentions 'dream scenario' for 49ers, Tom Brady

Retired NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson believes the San Francisco 49ers signing Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady could be a "dream scenario" for all involved. 

"There’s a guy in South Florida who is 45 years old," Johnson explained Monday morning during the "Keyshawn, JWill and Max" ESPN Radio program, as shared by Tom Dierberger of NBC Sports Bay Area. "[If I’m the 49ers’ front office], I’m going to have a conversation with him come free agency, and I’m going to say, ‘Hey, you get to ride off into the sunset with essentially the same type of team that you had when you left (the New England Patriots) and you went to Tampa [Bay].'" 

Johnson pointed out the 49ers have "a stout defense," offensive play-making superstars in Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, and an elite tight end in George Kittle. As for Brady, he can hit free agency when the new league year opens in March. 

Brady grew up in California a 49ers fan and has routinely been linked with the organization since at least early 2020. In December, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan suggested he regretted not landing TB12 ahead of the 2020 campaign, and Brady neither confirmed nor denied that same month that he could sign with the 49ers as a free agent this time around. 

49ers Week 1 starter Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury back in September and remains an unproven commodity as he recovers from that setback. Jimmy Garoppolo is on track to join Brady in free agency in March, and rookie Brock Purdy largely impressed during his stint atop the depth chart but also suffered what could be a serious elbow injury in Sunday's 31-7 NFC Championship Game loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. 

"All I need you to do is teach Brock Purdy and Trey Lance how to play football," Johnson remarked about Brady potentially mentoring those two as San Francisco's QB1 for one season. "I just need you for a year." 

Brady hasn't said if he plans to play this coming fall, but there have been hints that the seven-time Super Bowl champion doesn't want to end his career following a season that included the Buccaneers winning a division title with a record of 8-9 and the signal-caller going through a difficult divorce. 

Meanwhile, some within NFL circles expect Shanahan will allow Purdy and Lance to compete for the starting job during the summer months.