Tom Brady reportedly agrees to two-year contract extension
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has reportedly agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in New England through the 2021 season.
It appears that one of the most significant storylines of the Patriots‘ offseason has come to an amicable conclusion.
According to a league source cited by ESPN’s Field Yates, the New England Patriots and franchise quarterback Tom Brady have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension. While the details of the contract are still forthcoming, it now looks like Brady is officially inked at least through the conclusion of the 2021 season.
If he does indeed make it that far, Brady will be 44 years old when his new deal expires. The future Hall of Famer just celebrated his 42nd birthday on Saturday, August 3.
Throughout his career – and in numerous interviews and media appearances – Brady has reaffirmed his desire to play at least into his mid-40s before retiring. He recently told ESPN in a taped segment before Super Bowl 53 that win or lose in the championship, there was a “zero percent” chance he’d retire after the game.
Brady was originally set to make just $15 million in 2019, the final year of his old contract. Throughout his nearly two-decade-long career, Brady has never started the regular season in the final year of a contract – a streak that now looks destined to continue for the foreseeable future.
His new extension adds $8 million to his earnings this year, while also reportedly clearing up to $5.5 million in cap space for the team. The nature of the extension dictates that the contract “will be adjusted each year Brady continues playing,” according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
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Team owner Robert Kraft and his son (and team president) Jonathan Kraft have previously told the media that they firmly believe Brady has earned the right to play out his career as long as he would like in a New England uniform. Brady, for his part, has pledged only to keep playing in the NFL until he either starts to “suck,” his body breaks down, or his desire to spend more time with his family completely overrules his lifelong obsession with and passion for the game.