Could Ben Roethlisberger’s current deal determine Tom Brady’s next deal?

Based off the deal Ben Roethlisberger signed with the Steelers, the Patriots might need to commit $30-40 million per year to keep Tom Brady.

Former sports agent Joel Corry now writes for CBS Sports. He recently penned an article opining on how much he thinks several free agent quarterbacks could earn on the open market this spring — including Dak Prescott, Ryan Tannehill, Philip Rivers, and yes, Tom Brady … among other big names that could soon be on the move.

Despite the fact that Brady will turn 43 before the 2020 regular season begins, and despite the fact that he’s already doing something that’s never been done before in the NFL (and thus, there’s no precedent for it), Corry believes Brady could command a deal in the $100 million range before all is said and done.

In fact, Corry predicts Brady will get something like a three-year deal worth $100 million with $65 million in guaranteed money (averaging out to about $33.3 million per year).

As Corry notes in his article, Brady has repeatedly expressed his desire in the past to play until he’s 45 years old. That means he’s looking for a contract that is more than just a one-year deal — he’s looking for a two or even a three-year pact, at least. Perhaps a three-year deal where the third year is a “void year,” similar to the two-year contract he agreed to with the Patriots prior to the start of the 2019 season.

What logic is Corry using to make these claims? Well, for starters, he has a lot more prior knowledge and experience in this arena than most people do as a former sports agent. One would think he knows what he’s talking about when he bandies these kinds of numbers about.

Corry also could be looking at another older quarterback specifically with regards to Brady and the contract he might command next month. Here’s what he said:

"“Brady has consistently stated he wants to play at until he’s at least 45. He is already in uncharted territory as the oldest full-time starting quarterback in league history. Ben Roethlisberger, who will be 38 in March, sets the older quarterback market. The Steelers gave him a two-year, $68 million extension where $37.5 million was fully guaranteed last April.”"

Granted, Brady is five — almost six — years older than Roethlisberger. Even with all the hits and injuries Big Ben has sustained over the years, he’s still presumably got more left in the tank than Brady does right now (although Roethlisberger did flirt publicly with retirement a season or two ago).

If Big Ben can get nearly $40 million guaranteed, it’s hard not to fault Brady for trying to get something similar. Even with more mileage accumulated via years on the planet and years in the league, Brady has a far superior track record to Roethlisberger as a player.

We’ll see if that translates into his next contract.