Brady Signs Contract Extension with Patriots

Tom Brady received a belated birthday gift from the New England Patriots today, in the form of a new contract extension.

Brady, who turned 42 years old on Saturday, has reportedly agreed to terms on a new contract extension with the team. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the extension is for two years, keeping the six-time Super Bowl champion under contract through the 2021 season. Schefter reports the deal will also bump up Brady’s 2019 salary to $23 million, an $8 million increase over what the previous contracted would have paid him for the upcoming season.

What’s most interesting about Brady’s contract extension is that conventional wisdom suggests that the team would want a short-term deal for a 42-year-old quarterback, even if he is arguably the greatest of all time and still playing at an elite level. However, NFL Network’s Mike Giardi reported that Brady was actually looking for a short extension, while the Patriots wanted to lock him up for a longer deal–at presumably less money per year, to soften the salary cap hit.

Brady, who has frequently said he plans to play until the age of 45, will enter the final year of this new extension right after his 44^th birthday.

The 14-time Pro Bowler is a lock, of course, for the starting job entering this season. But even as he approaches middle age, the Patriots still have yet to try and find the heir apparent, with veteran backup Brian Hoyer slated in the No. 2 spot. Second-year quarterback Danny Etling spent last season on the practice squad, and will battle it out with rookie QB Jarrett Stidham for a roster spot.

The Patriots begin their defense of their sixth Super Bowl title this Thursday, when they kick off preseason action in Detroit.