FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) - The New England Patriots have signed quarterback Tom Brady to a six-year extension worth $60 million, a deal that for the first time brings the two-time Super Bowl MVP's salary in line with his accomplishments.
The extension was reported by ESPN and confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday night by a football source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"It's fantastic for the organization, for the city and for the team," Brady's backup, Doug Flutie, said while attending the Boston Celtics' playoff game. "I'd love to see him play his entire career here."
Brady had two years left on his previous contract that had a total value of about $30 million - less than Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning got in signing bonus alone even though Brady has knocked the Colts out of the playoffs in consecutive years.
"I know that when I signed my deal a couple of years ago it was a darn good deal," he said at the Super Bowl this year. "I feel good about the team's commitment and I think they feel good about what I have done for this team and this organization. Hopefully I'll be with the Patriots for a very long time."
The deal had been in the works for months. But it reportedly hung up over provisions that could inflate Brady's salary cap number to a level that would make it difficult for the Patriots to maintain the roster balance that has helped them win three titles.
"It's a good thing they got it done," said Deion Branch, who caught a record-tying 11 passes from Brady in this year's Super Bowl. "It would be good to keep everyone together. We know he'll be here, though."
Patriots spokesman Stacey James declined comment, and coach Bill Belichick did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Brady's agent, Don Yee, also could not be reached for comment.
"He just very quietly got it done. Very classy," Flutie said. "I just like the way he goes about his business. I've only been with the team a week and I can tell that Tom's a great leader for the team."
A sixth-round draft pick and a fourth-stringer as a rookie, Brady took over the Patriots' starting job when Drew Bledsoe was injured in the 2001 season and has led New England to three Super Bowl victories in four years. Brady was the MVP of the 2002 and 2004 Super Bowls, twice leading the Patriots on game-winning drives in the final minutes.
New England won its third Super Bowl in February, running Brady's playoff record to 9-0.
"The business side of this game is very different than the playing side," Brady said in Jacksonville before leading the Patriots to a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. "I work hard, I feel I work as hard as anyone in the league, any quarterback. I feel I'm prepared and that's what I really enjoy.
"There is also a team goal of trying to win Super Bowls, which is most important. Anyone that chooses to play on the Patriots realizes that goal supersedes any other individual player goal. You have to make decisions as an individual on whether you want to be a member of this team or not," he said. "I know where my priorities are."
While Brady's passing numbers might not be as eye-popping as Manning's, he has a 57-14 record as a starter - the best of the modern era for any quarterback with at least 40 starts. The two-time Pro Bowl selection from Michigan was 288-for-474 last season for 3,692 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
In his four-year career, he has thrown for 13,925 yards and 91 touchdowns, with 52 interceptions.
Associated Press
The extension was reported by ESPN and confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday night by a football source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"It's fantastic for the organization, for the city and for the team," Brady's backup, Doug Flutie, said while attending the Boston Celtics' playoff game. "I'd love to see him play his entire career here."
Brady had two years left on his previous contract that had a total value of about $30 million - less than Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning got in signing bonus alone even though Brady has knocked the Colts out of the playoffs in consecutive years.
"I know that when I signed my deal a couple of years ago it was a darn good deal," he said at the Super Bowl this year. "I feel good about the team's commitment and I think they feel good about what I have done for this team and this organization. Hopefully I'll be with the Patriots for a very long time."
The deal had been in the works for months. But it reportedly hung up over provisions that could inflate Brady's salary cap number to a level that would make it difficult for the Patriots to maintain the roster balance that has helped them win three titles.
"It's a good thing they got it done," said Deion Branch, who caught a record-tying 11 passes from Brady in this year's Super Bowl. "It would be good to keep everyone together. We know he'll be here, though."
Patriots spokesman Stacey James declined comment, and coach Bill Belichick did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Brady's agent, Don Yee, also could not be reached for comment.
"He just very quietly got it done. Very classy," Flutie said. "I just like the way he goes about his business. I've only been with the team a week and I can tell that Tom's a great leader for the team."
A sixth-round draft pick and a fourth-stringer as a rookie, Brady took over the Patriots' starting job when Drew Bledsoe was injured in the 2001 season and has led New England to three Super Bowl victories in four years. Brady was the MVP of the 2002 and 2004 Super Bowls, twice leading the Patriots on game-winning drives in the final minutes.
New England won its third Super Bowl in February, running Brady's playoff record to 9-0.
"The business side of this game is very different than the playing side," Brady said in Jacksonville before leading the Patriots to a 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. "I work hard, I feel I work as hard as anyone in the league, any quarterback. I feel I'm prepared and that's what I really enjoy.
"There is also a team goal of trying to win Super Bowls, which is most important. Anyone that chooses to play on the Patriots realizes that goal supersedes any other individual player goal. You have to make decisions as an individual on whether you want to be a member of this team or not," he said. "I know where my priorities are."
While Brady's passing numbers might not be as eye-popping as Manning's, he has a 57-14 record as a starter - the best of the modern era for any quarterback with at least 40 starts. The two-time Pro Bowl selection from Michigan was 288-for-474 last season for 3,692 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
In his four-year career, he has thrown for 13,925 yards and 91 touchdowns, with 52 interceptions.
Associated Press
