FILE PHOTO: NFL Football – Super Bowl LIII – New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. – February 3, 2019. New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady holds his daughter Vivian Lake Brady as he celebrates alongside the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LIII. REUTERS/Mike Segar
August 4, 2019
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are nearing a contract extension that would tie the quarterback to the franchise beyond his upcoming 20th NFL season, according to multiple reports Sunday.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the deal is for a two-year extension that will increase his salary from $15 million this year to $23 million. Full terms were not available.
The New England Patriots quarterback just celebrated his 42nd birthday on Saturday and is about one month away from beginning defense of his sixth Super Bowl title.
Brady addressed the question of a possible extension with reporters on Wednesday. Without a deal, he would be an unrestricted free agent after the season ends.
“Have I earned it?” Brady asked rhetorically to media huddling around him on the field. “I don’t know. That’s up for talk show debate. What do you guys think? Should we take a poll? Talk for Mr. Kraft. No, like I said, we got a great relationship so we’ll see how it goes.”
“None of us are really promised anything. I am trying to do the best I can do today and let those things work themselves out,” Brady said.
Having played in nine Super Bowls and won six, there’s not much debate over Brady’s value even as concerns about Father Time become more prevalent.
Despite his age, Brady played all 16 games and threw for 4,355 yards last season, completing 65.8 percent of his passes to go with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Brady ranks fourth all-time in passing yards with 70,514, though he’ll almost certainly pass Brett Favre (71,838) and Peyton Manning (71,940) this season. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, 40, has 74,437 career yards and will only add to his total this season.
Brady said he focused this offseason on getting physically stronger to endure hits in the pocket without losing fluidity in his throwing motion.
–Field Level Media
