- Joined
- Dec 22, 2005
- Messages
- 16,339
- Reaction score
- 7,611
Big Ben is signed through the 2015 season.
Brady through the 2010 season.
Eli and Rivers through the 2009 season.
DOB
Brady - 8/3/77
Rivers - 12/8/81
Eli - 1/3/81
I think that if Brady signs an extension in 2009 it would have to take into account
1.) that the Patriots are assuming two years of the injury risk factor
2.) that he is 3 years older than Eli and 4 years older than Rivers.
3.) that he is coming off a season-ending injury. The other two are not.
4.) that it will probably be cheaper to tag Brady in 2011 than it will be to tag Rivers or Eli in 2010
As usual, helpful and insightful, Miguel. Thank you.
Brady would be 33 YO when he took his first snap under a new contract in September, 2010, so a five year contract would have him start year five at the age of 38.
The average retirement age (defined as their age at the beginning of their last season) of the 17 SB Era HOF QB's is 37.4 (median 38.0). The oldest was Moon at 42. Here are the others, with the age at which they began their last season:
Aikman, 34
Bradsahw, 35
Dawson, 40
Elway, 38
Fouts, 36
Bob Griese, 35
Jurgensen, 40
Kelly, 36
Marino, 38
Montana, 38
Namath, 34
Starr, 37
Staubach, 37
Tarkenton, 38
Unitas, 40
Young, 38
TB has said that he wants to play another ten years; how we all hope that he does! But, history suggests that there are just too many unknowns when it comes to the health and productivity of an NFL QB to know for sure how long he will play and at what level.
Elway is the gold standard, going out on top with two of his greatest seasons at the ages of 37 and 38! Steve Young was 13--5 as a starter in his last two seasons; Staubach was 22--9; Joe was 17--8. Others have not done so well as they played their final seasons.
So, you're right to point out the uncertainties that the Pats will be weighing. I don't see them taking a strategy that would include franchising him though.
Last edited: