No, he is not. He is under contract through the end of the 2017 season. Signed a four-year (2014/2015/2016/2017) deal last year.
This is why I don't think Bedard is at all off the mark. Consider:
- I agree that Brady is the GOAT. But he will be 38 this year and optimistically has 2 to 3 years left of elite performance. If Brady is 33, we're not having this conversation, but what are the odds of winning a Superbowl with an over 40 QB?
- Young QB's like Jimmy G are hard to come by. He appears to have a strong arm, outstanding accuracy and good leadership skills. If Billy O'Brien got his wish & drafted Garapollo last year, I bet the Texans would win their division this year. The Pats will be hard pressed to find a better replacement for Brady, particularly because they are too talented and well coached to tank Colts style and get anywhere near the first pick in the draft.
- If there's one thing we've learned over the past 10 years, it's that Bill Belichick has the biggest balls in the NFL. Think 4th & 2, 17 & 0, Lawyer Malloy, Richard Seymour, "Pete Carroll appears to be soiling himself, let the clock run". We're talking about the modern day Red Auerbach, who was famous for saying "better to trade a player a year to early, than a year too late". If your surprised when TB is traded before JG's contract is up, you'll only have yourself to blame.
For example, assume Brady shows no signs of slowing down this year, JG continues to improve & the Rams move to LA. If the Rams offer a high 2016 second (to effectively replace the pick Goodell stole) & two forward year 1's for Brady. Does anyone really think BB wouldn't pull the trigger on this?
All this said, I'm not sure BK would go for it. Ironically, the one man who should be most focused on the long term interest of the franchise, appears to be the one least concerned about it.