Earlier today, news broke that the New England Patriots and Tom Brady have agreed on a two-year contract extension worth a total of $70 million. The deal adds two seasons to the quarterback’s current one — one that would have expired following the 2019 season — and will keep him around through 2021, at least in theory. However, the contract means more than just locking Brady up for the foreseeable future.
Let’s take a closer look.
Above all else, the two-year extension gives the Patriots some cap relief this season. While Brady’s cash intake in 2019 will increase by $8 million, the structure of the deal actually lowers his salary cap hit this season.