Brady Signs Extension

Via: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/02/29/patriots-tom-brady-agree-to-two-year-extension-through-2019/ 

It was just announced earlier today that Tom Brady signed a  2 year contract extension that will in theory keep him with the Patriots through the 2019 NFL season, when he will be 42 years old. 

The money has not yet been announced, but I'm sure it is an even more team-friendly deal that may or may not have a secret clause or two for a future with the front office of the Patriots or hidden Kraft money. Brady was scheduled to have a 15 million dollar cap his for the 2016 season and 16 million for 2017, those will more than liking be going down to help accommodate other team needs. As a team with the 2nd least amount of cap space in the NFL it was frankly necessary. 

This is not the first time Brady has restructured or signed a team friendly extension, Brady has had a history of signing deals like this to give the Patriots more cap space. I would figure the next priorities for the Pats would be locking up Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins to contract extensions. 

Now what this really means is that Tom Brady is more probable than not to finish his career as a New England Patriot. Say that because of things like this: 

Yep its official gonna retire a celtic

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 15, 2010

Playing at a HOF level and spending your entire career with one franchise is just simply something that most star athletes, especially star quarterbacks do not tend to do in today's day in age in sports.
​Even Brady's childhood idol, Joe Montana had to finish up his career in Kansas City.

At 38 years old in 2015 coming off his 4th Super Bowl championship, Brady put up some of the best stats of his career, leading the NFL with 36 touchdown passes against  7 interceptions. 

Yet, as great as Brady still is there is no denying physically there are some parts of his game that have dropped off, most noticeably the deep ball, however that really hasn't been a major part of the Patriots passing game since Randy Moss was trading away early in the 2010 season. ​However you could argue his mobility has improved, which at the advanced age of 38 is amazing, gotta be all the avocado ice cream. 

It has been well documented that Brady is let's just say "unique" when it comes to health choices, but you cannot deny the results they have allowed the man to produce later in his career. Remember tomatoes and mushrooms cause inflammation. 

Brady can still clearly play at an elite level (as long as there is some semblance of an NFL o-line) and until he shows significant drop off, the Patriots and fans are still going to want him around. Hell, even if he does drop off, with the defensive the Patriots currently have, if they were to add another piece or two they could be the ones carrying him, like Denver did with Mr. Arabian Goggles, Peyton Manning.

As a Patriots fan, I'm pumped that Tom Brady is never going to play for another team, because it is something I have always worried about down the line. It is no secret that the way the Patriots run business is like no other franchise in all of sports and it caused Patriots fans to wonder if there would ever be a day they'd move on with Brady before he wanted to retired. Even in early 2014 before winning the Super Bowl, people were questioning after a slow start, and un-Brady-like 2013 stat wise that he may finished.

With Brady here for another 4 years it does create another question: What do you do with backup Jimmy Garrapolo? Now as Brady gets older it does make sense to keep a good backup around for insurance, however with no first round draft pick this year due to NFL incompetence and frankly hatred towards that Pats, it would make sense to deal Jimmy G for a pick or two. With the abundance of poor quarterback play in the NFL surely teams would be interested in Brady's understudy to lead their franchise. 

After a tough ending to 2015 where the Patriots clearly let another chance at a Super Bowl championship slip away, one thing is for sure, Tom Brady will be back as a New England Patriot and ready to fight for a record 5th Super Bowl win. Get your Himalayan pink salt ready, it's going to be a show.