NFL legend Tom Brady has revealed just how close he came to joining the Chicago Bears.

The seven-time Super Bowl winner, who won six rings with the New England Patriots, made the decision to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 – but not before weighing his options.

Tom Brady returned to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on SundayCredit: Getty

The NFL legend opted to join the Bucs in 2020 – but almost picked the BearsCredit: Getty
Brady left the Patriots in 2020 after a breakdown in his relationship with head coach Bill Belichick.

The now 47-year-old landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he would go on to win his final Lombardi trophy.

Before settling on the Bucs, Brady was involved in a frenetic free-agency chase.

During Sunday’s Fox broadcast, the NFL legend returned to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.

And he had a surprise for fans watching – particularly in Chicago.

“[The Bears] was a team, and I’ve never told that story before, they were very stealthy in their recruitment,” Brady said.

“I was seriously considering it, but in the end, it came down to Tampa.

“It was close to my son Jack, I loved [coach] Bruce Arians and the role that he played in offense.

“[It was] ultimately the great players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin that I’m still out there watching today.”

Brady revealed he had “around 18 criteria” for which team would recruit him.

I’m not going to leave you hanging’ Tom Brady told after reenacting awkward Week 1 Fox NFL broadcast booth encounter
These included salary, weather, facilities, and potential teammates.

He would lead the Buccaneers to a franchise-record 13 regular-season wins in his first season in Tampa.

After missing out on Brady, the Bears went 8-8, 6-11, and 3-14 over three seasons.

They pinned their hopes on quarterback Justin Fields, who has since left in a trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

‘That’s what makes him so great’

New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski says Tom Brady’s greatness is down to consistency.

Brady continued playing until he was 45, leaving many people asking what was the secret to his longevity – and his longtime friend has the answer.

“You really don’t see that anymore in this generation, he really practices what he preaches,” Gronk told former teammate Julian Edelman, 38, on the Games with Names podcast.

“There are no and, ifs, or buts about Tom Brady being Tom Brady.

“What he puts out there, what he preaches, he practices it.

“There’s no doubt about it. There are a lot of people out there on social media, or at a lecture, they’re reminiscing about, ‘This is what you gotta do to be great, this is what you gotta do to be successful.’

“Well Tom Brady does what he says on a daily basis.

“He takes care of his body, he takes care of his mind, he competes, and that’s what makes him so great.”

Brady initially retired in 2021 after winning Super Bowl LV but returned for another season with the Bucs.

He hung up his pads “for good” in February 2022, and has since begun carving out a new life after football.

The 47-year-old has made numerous sports-related business investments, including English soccer club Birmingham City and a pending minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

Brady penned a $375 million, ten-year deal with Fox Sports after his first retirement.

He began his new role at the network giants earlier this season.

Brady’s in-depth analysis and reading of the game have quickly made him a fan favorite on Fox broadcasts.