Correct me if I'm wrong here, but IIRC, didn't Brady cash something like a $30MM check when he signed his latest contract. So of course the money he's going to be less in the latter stages of his deal since he got so much up front. Why is this critical fact so often ignored or under reported in the media's mad effort to see every athlete get the maximum amount of money from ownership.
At the end of his deal Brady will have received every last dollar negotiated. And while I remember reading that his deal wasn't for top QB money of the day, it wasn't for drastically less either.
BOTTOM LINE: If you look at his deal over the total term of the contract, instead of a one year snap shot, Brady is being fairly well paid. IMHO, all the 'Brady is underpaid" crap, is an example of an issue being "created" where there is none.
I strongly disagree with your analysis of Brady's contract. You suggest that if we look at the 5 years, we will find that Brady "is fairly well paid". In what world? Over 5 years, the contract averages $11.4M a year.
As in all non-rookie contracts, the team and the player evaluate the situation each year.
2013 and 2014
Brady has been paid $16.5M a year over the past two years. This is less than some other players. However, he was also given an injury clause that would guarantee his last 3 years against injury. So, the difference between the $16.5M per year for two years and the $20M that say Manning gets is the value of the injury guarantee. After all, we all agreed that Brady DID NOT give the team a discount and that the deal signed was fair.
Has Brady been OVERPAID at $16.5M for the past two years? Have the patriots received reasonable value for the $30M check cashed and for the $3M in salaries. I think that the team has received reasonable value for what they have paid.
So, NO, IMHO, it is not reasonable to look at the 5 years at this point.
2015, 2016, and 2017
Brady has given value to the team though 2014. He has been paid less than market, but he has received guarantees. In a few weeks, 2014 will be behind us.
How would you advise Brady IF YOU WERE HIS AGENT? Obviously, Brady can play in 2015 for ONE-THIRD of the value of his services. The choice is Brady's. However, IMHO, any agent should be fired (or at least not hired by others) if he does not at least point out to Brady what comparable quarterbacks are making.
BOTTOM LINE
Both Brady and the patriots have done well on Brady's compensation through the end of 2014. In fact, the team has had a good deal all though Brady's contract. But that's fine. It is always great to have players who produce more value than their compensation calls for.
I hope that Brady decides to play for $8M a year. In fact, I hope that Brady restructures and moves $6M of 2015 into bonus money, freeing up $4M of 2015 cap money. Hey, I even hope that Brady agrees to extend another 3 years at $5M a year. Of course, hoping that a player acts against his own financial interest isn't very reasonable.
Brady is at least a $20M a year commodity. Or do think that Brady is worth less then Manning. Brady can CHOOSE (for the first time) to give the patriots and major discount and play for 1/3 of the market value of his services. Or Brady can approach the team, as so many players do, and request an increase. the team can then act as they wish. Perhaps, they will say "nice try" and the agent will back to Brady having failed and nothing will happen. OR NOT!
