Report: Patriots Add $5 Million In Incentives To Tom Brady's Contract
BOSTON (CBS) -- With the 2018 season rapidly approaching, and with Tom Brady entering his age 41 season, the quarterback and the team are close to settling some changes to his contract.
Specifically, the Patriots will be adding $5 million in incentives for Brady to earn during the 2018 season. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report the news on Thursday, the day of the Patriots' preseason opener
With a $14 million salary, plus a $1 million roster bonus, Brady now has the potential to earn $20 million in 2018 -- paying him at a more commensurate level with other NFL quarterbacks.
Patriots expected to make adjustments to Tom Brady's contract, per source. Brady is scheduled to make $15 million - a bargain - and they will be adding a variety of performance-based incentives to bring him to closer to market - like what Pats did last year with TE Rob Gronkowski
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2018
Compensation update: Patriots are adding up to $5 million in performance-based incentives to Tom Brady's contract, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2018
The #Patriots are adding $5M in incentives to the 2018 contract of QB Tom Brady, source said. He's on the books for $15M this season, so he could make $20M in all... or still a bargain.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2018
Brady's current contract runs through the 2019 season, and Schefter's report did not indicate that current talks would include an extension. Brady, of course, has stated a desire to play through his mid-40s.
Schefter also mentioned Gronkowski's restructure from last season. Another restructure was expected to have been agreed upon this offseason for the tight end, but nothing has yet been completed.
According to Spotrac, Brady ranks fifth among NFL quarterbacks for base salary in 2018. Though his $22 million cap hit may be higher than it normally is for the Patriots, it only ranks tied for 11th in terms of highest quarterback cap hits in the league.
Brady is coming off an MVP season, during which he completed 66.3 percent of his passes and threw 32 touchdowns to eight interceptions.