Kraft Says No Brady Extension Needed

[mgteich]

A week or so Kraft said that of course we need to think of drafting a quarterback.

Now, he has indicated that Brady's contract is fine, and both parties are satisfied with it. Kraft indicated that he hopes that Brady plays several more years, and will (of course) reconsider a contract change, as needed.

 

[Love The Drake]

A week or so Kraft said that of course we need to think of drafting a quarterback.

Now, he has indicated that Brady's contract is fine, and both parties are satisfied with it. Kraft indicated that he hopes that Brady plays several more years, and will (of course) reconsider a contract change, as needed.

This tells me they are considering taking a QB very high.
I keep coming back to Randolph.
If we do late Litton the Houston Allen or The Ivy league beast.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I keep coming back to Randolph.

Rudolph?

 

[Hyped]

Good plan....just wait for Brady to approach the team or for his contract to move closer to expiration....

The longer he plays at 15M/year...the longer we stay at the top, IMO.

 

[oceansizer]

Rudolph?

Randolph, I mean Zach Randolph. He is massive, has got strong arms and is a bit bored with playing for Kings

 

[mgteich]

Good plan....just wait for Brady to approach the team or for his contract to move closer to expiration....

The longer he plays at 15M/year...the longer we stay at the top, IMO.

Brady is playing 2018 and 2019 for $15M a year. An extension wouldn't change that. What would change is the 2018 cap and the number of years of joint commitment.

Are you suggesting that if Brady comes to the team before the 2019 season that he would be more likely to sign to play for $15M in 2020 and 2021?

 

[maust]

It's a never ending source of amusement that the lion's share of mediots and fans don't understand just how brilliantly Brady and the Pats have handled his compensation vs his cap hits over the years. In spite of being a 6th rounder and without ever playing out the final year of a contract Brady has been paid more than anyone in the history of the game not named Manning and yet always had a cap friendly number. Yup, he's even made more than 'Greedy' Drew Brees who was a second round pick and has played almost long. He has not only gotten his but consistently got the bulk of it upfront. Their cap & contract management is just one more example of how the Pats really are the smartest kids in the room.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm not sure how to interpret this?

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I'm not sure how to interpret this?

A few articles:
The source, by Jeff Howe, which is under a paywall:
Kraft: Patriots prepared to deal with Tom Brady’s contract...
Zack Cox has interpretation and quotes which are behind that paywall: Robert Kraft Addresses Tom Brady’s Contract, Says Lack Of Extension Not An Issue

Key piece in my opinion is this:

“However, Brady would most certainly entertain contract negotiations,” Howe wrote, citing a source, ” … so it might behoove the Patriots to take a more proactive approach.”

I'm reading this as -- Brady wants a contract extension, and the Patriots (Kraft and/or Belichick) aren't ready to give it to him. And it's probably for the same reason Belichick held on to JAG as long as he could - he doesn't want to put all his eggs in one basket with a 41 year old QB. Doesn't want to be stuck with potential dead cap hits for an extension today if he declines suddenly when it's not necessary yet.

 

[oldrover]

I'm not sure how to interpret this?

https://imgflip.com/memegenerator

 

[IcyPatriot]

Makes sense to sign Brady from year to year with no guaranteed money if he adds years.
I do not think Brady will go more than the 2 years he has left ... so no need for a new deal.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm not sure how to interpret this?

Brady’s last season, as it stands today, is more than likely 2019. The team has also been working out QBs in the draft.

 

[tasmlab]

Sort of uncharted waters with a QB so old, but I think with Kraft's relationship with
Brady that they can take things as they come without panicking that they won't get deals done when they eventually need them.

 

[mgteich]

So, to be very clear, several of you think that we should be developing a QB with the strong possibility of him starting in 2020.

So, what is the best plan? Is 2 years of training the best plan, perhaps augmented with drafting another next year if it is deemed that insurance (and backup) is needed)?

 

[maust]

I'm not sure how to interpret this?

I'm reading this as -- Brady wants a contract extension, and the Patriots (Kraft and/or Belichick) aren't ready to give it to him. And it's probably for the same reason Belichick held on to JAG as long as he could - he doesn't want to put all his eggs in one basket with a 41 year old QB. Doesn't want to be stuck with potential dead cap hits for an extension today if he declines suddenly when it's not necessary yet.

I see it quite differently. For most of his career Brady got the bulk of his money up front and his largest cap hits were maneuvered into years where the space was comfortably there. This year and next are actually 2 of his 3 biggest hits against the cap. And that makes sense when you consider it is no longer in his or the team's best interest to have the bulk of his compensation in the form of a prorated signing bonus that the team might have to go after (strictly for cap purposes) if he chooses to retire. I think IcyPatriot pretty much summed up my thoughts with the small exception that if the year to year contracts happen they won't appear to be single year contracts. They will probably have a single dummy year tacked on to prorate a bonus that will be the only 'guaranteed' money and there will be some pretty substantial and makeable incentives.

 

[RobertWeathers]

A few articles:
The source, by Jeff Howe, which is under a paywall:
Kraft: Patriots prepared to deal with Tom Brady’s contract...
Zack Cox has interpretation and quotes which are behind that paywall: Robert Kraft Addresses Tom Brady’s Contract, Says Lack Of Extension Not An Issue

Key piece in my opinion is this:


I'm reading this as -- Brady wants a contract extension, and the Patriots (Kraft and/or Belichick) aren't ready to give it to him. And it's probably for the same reason Belichick held on to JAG as long as he could - he doesn't want to put all his eggs in one basket with a 41 year old QB. Doesn't want to be stuck with potential dead cap hits for an extension today if he declines suddenly when it's not necessary yet.

Makes total sense.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Brady’s last season, as it stands today, is more than likely 2019. The team has also been working out QBs in the draft.

That was my immediate reaction

 

[WinstonSmith]

I'm not sure how to interpret this?

Guerrero should rent...not buy.

 

[Kontradiction]

That was my immediate reaction

Whether it would be his last season altogether or merely his last with the team is anyone’s guess.

 

[maust]

Whether it would be his last season altogether or merely his last with the team is anyone’s guess.