Patriots’ Tom Brady’s ‘Target Price’ for Next Contract

We have more information about Tom Brady’s “target price” for his contract in the upcoming season. Former NFL agent Joel Corry of CBS Sports revealed that the Patriots quarterback could “command” a three-year deal worth $100 million with $65 million in guarantees on the free market.

“Brady has consistently stated he wants to play at until he’s at least 45,” Corry reported. “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.

“If Brady ultimately is going to stay in New England, it would be beneficial for the Patriots to get a deal done before the last day of the 2019 league year on March 18. That’s when his 2020 and 2021 contract years void. The Patriots will have a $13.5 million salary cap charge from the bonus proration with those years actually voiding regardless of Brady’s decision about where to play next season.”

This “target price” would be worth the amount reported a couple of weeks prior. That was when it was reported that Brady’s team is willing to offer $30 million. The annual salary may not be a problem, however its length may be a problem for the organization.

Based on these projections, other NFL teams will be ready to give Brady $33 million per season and a three-year deal. In other words, Brady will play with the team until he is 45.

The length of Tom Brady’s contract is an issue

Patriots owner Robert Kraft didn’t want to commit to the quarterback past the 2019 season. The length of the contract may be a problem for the Patriots.

“In the end, after all this, after going through everything, it will mean that it’s basically meant to be, and that it’s the best thing for all sides [to let Brady test free agency],” Rapoport said on NFL Network. “Kraft wanted them to get apart, to see what’s out there, and try to come together in the middle. And the hope is, if that works out for 2020, that everyone will be happy they went through the process.”

This means that the New England Patriots are playing safe, and they decided to keep their options open. If the team commits three more years to Brady, they will commit to three more years of Brady as the starting quarterback.

The Tennessee Titans are also linked to Brady. However, NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms believes that Ryan Tannehill is a better option than Brady.