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Report: Brady, Pats close on extension

Field Level Media

August 05, 2019 at 1:45 am.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have reportedly agreed to a contract extension that will marry the reigning Super Bowl champion quarterback to the franchise beyond his upcoming 20th NFL season.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the parties agreed to a two-year, $70 million contract extension that will increase his salary from $15 million this year to $23 million. Per the report, the Patriots would pay Brady $30 million in 2020 and $32 million in 2021, with the caveat that the player and team would both remain “amenable” to adjusting the contract numbers as necessary.

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 touchdown passes 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.

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