New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is due a new contract extension with two years remaining on his current one. He reportedly wants to get that deal done.
Brady is “seeking a new contract” before the 2018 season, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday. Brady currently has two years and $28 million left on his current deal, plus $2 million in roster bonuses.
And despite earlier reports Wednesday that Brady hasn’t committed to playing in 2018, Rapoport reported he will, in fact, suit up.
“Tom Brady is going to play in 2018,” Rapoport said. “He said it. Everyone close to him has said it. Everyone I’ve spoken to has said it. The Patriots are going forward with the very strict and stern belief that he will be playing for 2018. I don’t get the sense that they considered any of these reports this morning about ‘maybe he doesn’t play.’
“I also know Brady is planning a little passing camp with some of his buddies before training camp. That does not sound like the kind of the thing you would do if you were not going to play in 2018.”
Brady hasn’t reported for the Patriots voluntary offseason workout program that started Monday. Brady reportedly might not take part in any of the voluntary workouts, which would include organized team activities practices.
Garafolo added further context to the situation via Twitter.
Important context to this, as I said on the air earlier: This seems to be a secondary issue to first determining his short- and long-term future. It’s not driving his absence from offseason workouts or anything. https://t.co/DDWfZF91fr
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 18, 2018
The Patriots are expected to select a quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft. They’ve shown interest in UCLA passer Josh Rosen, whom they’d likely have to trade up to acquire.
