Jimmy Cunningham, howiGit New York Writer, Manhattan, NY
Tom Brady came out yesterday and said he wants to “play for a long time”… the obvious question then is how much of that time will be spent with the Patriots? Brady’s contract runs through 2014, and working off of Brady’s quote I would assume that would mean he wants a new contract after that. What will the Patriots do though? The Pats have shown that they will choose what is best for the team over loyalty. Richard Seymour, Mike Vrable, Deon Branch, and Randy Moss are a few big names that were shown the door or not asked back by the Patriots, in their seemingly never-ending quest to get younger. Will the Patriots go against their own pattern for the best player in their history? Or will the Pats fans feel like the Colts fans this year watching their hero in a 49er’s jersey after two years?
It all depends on Brady’s health at the time that his current contract expires. Assuming he’s healthy (a big assumption) I think the Patriots would pay him well to keep him around 2-3 years longer. I don’t think they’ll offer him a longer contract than that, but I think he’ll sign it. If he still wants to play after that additional 2-3 year contract expires, I think he’ll have to look to play elsewhere. Which would be a shame. I hope like hell that he retires a Patriot.
I think when the time comes, which really could be after next season, it will be very interesting. If they do sign Brady again Mallet probably wont be there to take his place 5 years from now.
If Mallett start to show some things in practice the next two years it will make it even more interesting.
For sure. Hoyer’s contract is up at the end of the season. He could get a real legit deal somewhere. I think he’s a very good quarterback.
Brady will stay as long as he likes and be paid among the top players. He’ll be like Bird at the end with the Celtics. Chris Kelley – Framingham.
I love your optimism. Hope you’re right.
The 80′s Celtics and 00′s Pats operate very differently. The Celtics were loyal almost to a fault with their stars. The result was about 15 years of not good basketball
True that.
True enough, but I don’t think they’ll follow the model with Brady. It may result in a down year or two, but I’d be shocked to see him go anywhere else.
I agree that it will shocking, but if you asked a Colts fan 3 years ago about Payton playing in a Broncos uniform they would have laughed at you
I’m not laughing and consider it a possible reality. But I’m pretty disenchanted with professional sports these days. (sigh)
That’s a fair comparison. It will take some getting used to seeing Manning in a Broncos uniform. The only thing I’d say is that extenuating circumstances allowed that to happen. Manning missed the final year of his contract with a serious injury, the Colts finished last and got the top pick, Andrew Luck was as close to a “can’t miss” young QB as we’ll see. So I guess it’s possible Brady could finish his career elsewhere, but it sure would be surprising.