POSTED 12:02 p.m. EST, February 9, 2008
BIG 2008 CAP NUMBER FOR BRADY
A reader has asked us to resolve an apparent conflict between available information regarding the 2008 cap number of Pats quarterback Tom Brady.
On closer inspection, there is no conflict. But, still, Brady has a huge cap number for 2008.
As ESPN.com's Mike Sando reports, Brady is due to earn $8 million in salary and bonuses this year. We've learned that Brady's salary is $5 million, and he's due to receive a $3 million roster bonus.
But as accurately pointed out at PatsCap.com, Brady's full cap number includes another $6.62 million in bonus proration, pushing the total to a whopping $14.62 million. A lot of it comes from Brady's 2007 renegotiation, which dropped his cap number by cutting his salary to $720,000. The rest of his salary for 2007 was converted to a guarantee, pushing a large portion of the cap charges into future seasons.
The Patriots could nudge two-thirds of Brady's 2008 pay above the minimum salary into 2009 and 2010, the final two years of his contract, via another simple renegotiation. But it also might be prudent at this time to adjust the league MVP's pay by signing him to a new deal that extends well into the next decade.
Even though Brady likely is still willing to give the Pats a hometown discount in order to allow the team to have enough money available to sign other key players, even something on the low end of fair for Brady requires a nine-figure commitment, and at least $30 million in guaranteed money.
