The New England Patriots are willing to pay Tom Brady $30 million a year to keep the 42 year old around, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
He’s always accepted a discounted salary in order to build a talented team around him, but this new salary would put him alongside the highest paid quarterbacks in the league. Brady made $23 million from the Patriots this past season, making him the eighth-highest paid signal-caller.
According to the report, Brady also wants the Patriots to spend money to put weapons around him. Here’s what Rapoport had to say about Brady’s two biggest priorities in this looming free agency decision.
The Patriots are intent on keeping Brady, obviously, believing he has one or two good years left. They are willing, sources say, to pay him in excess of $30 million per year to keep him in New England — a significant commitment that would bring his salary more in line with other elite QBs.
That would help, but it may not be all. If Brady is going to return, he wants to see the team spend on some weapons — which they attempted to do last offseason by signing Antonio Brown, only to have it fail. It would be unlike Bill Belichick to “go for it” but that may close the deal.
The Super Bowl LIV @NFLGameDay Notebook with @MikeGarafolo:
— The #Patriots are willing to pay Tom Brady in excess of $30M if that's what's required to keep him.
— The #Chargers among teams expected to make a push.
— New England's fall back options include trading for a QB. pic.twitter.com/G4dxkUQmTh— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2020
The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to be among the teams that make a pitch to Brady, and they have a vacancy at quarterback now. Rapoport also mentions the Tennessee Titans, but they’d have to make a decision with Ryan Tannehill in free agency.
Brady’s TB12 facility will also play a role in his decision, and Rapoport says the Chargers would be able to accommodate.
Brady’s “No. 1 priority” is to get weapons around him, and the Patriots would have a lot of work to do. Outside of a 33-year-old Julian Edelman, the Patriots don’t have a reliable receiver. They need a major upgrade at the tight end position and some more help on the offensive line.
New England has a laundry list of tasks to complete to retain Brady, but it seems willing to make the accommodations.
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