Lacanfora's article from Yee does contain a few interesting tidbits:
1. Yee said that it was not until Feb 28 that an associate of Wells' sent an email request for information from Brady's phone, "and they emphasized in the email they did not need the actual device," Yee added.
2. Yee also pointed to Wells' remarks from his May conference call after issuing his report when Wells stated that Brady could keep his phone ("I want to be crystal clear, I told Mr. Brady and his agent I was willing to not take possession of the phone," Wells said to the media). Wells also said Brady's team could turn over documents related to the investigation and "I will take your word for it."
3. Brady cycled through his previous phone from October until November.
Given these three factors, it's not crazy to think that Brady didn't destroy the previous phone, but just erased it and got rid of the SIM card, that Brady frequently does this (a new phone every month or so?), and that the Wells team specifically didn't even ask for a phone.