I agree that there is a year too early is better then a year too late philosophy does get used by the pats but I think it is misused/misunderstood a lot by posters on here. I don't believe it is used as much on contracts already signed. They trust their evaluations and are constantly updating them thru self scouting. Once a player's production no longer meets the money they are being paid they are ruthlessly restructured or cut with very rare sentimental contracts (troy Brown and Bruschi are the only two I can think of).
Where the philosophy does apply IMO is in how they offer contracts. Lets say player A is 31 years old and has been a solid starter for 8 years but in their opinion he has one good starter caliber year left and two solid role player years. They will sign that guy to two years of role player money with incentives but not 3 years of starter money and if that's not good enough they will find someone younger and cheaper. They want the player and think he could help them win but won't pay extra for the year "too late".
Now how this applies to the GOAT and Grop. I think it's very reasonable to expect two more elite years 2017 and 2018 from Brady. He has shown ZERO decline and has in fact gotten better, which is just inhuman. That said there is a point where father time will win. Is that in 2 years? 3 years? 5 years? 10? Who the hell knows but with everything that has come out, Grop not being traded, Schefter's report about keeping him long term, and Giselles comments I think counting on Brady for more then 2 years would be unreasonable. If, and yes I am aware that is a huge unknown only Bill even has a clue if, Grop is truly a starting level above average QB letting Brady go after 2017 and signing Grop long term would be a year too early versus a year too late as IMO Brady will still be the better QB with a higher chance of bringing home a championship in 2018 and I wouldn't bet against that being true in 2019 as well. Long term health of the franchise though, if Grop is as good as it appears Bill thinks he is, the pats stay a year in year out playoff contender for 2019- 2028 or 32.
So the question is what do you want 2018 and maybe 2019 Brady or 2019-2028 Grop? Based on everything I am seeing I think Bill is leaning with the second option and while it hurts my fandom I don't disagree with it and trust Bill to make that call correctly.