The New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady have decided that it might be best for him to test the free-agent waters for the first time in his 20-year NFL career.
This seemed to suggest that negotiations between the two might take a back seat with the possibility of Brady leaving once free agency opens.
According to Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston, that is indeed the case. The longtime Patriots beat writer noted Tuesday morning that talks between Brady and the Patriots are not expected to start for a couple weeks.
This does not give New England much of a window to get a deal done with Brady ahead of the start of free agency on March 18. About two weeks to be precise.
The bigger issue here is that New England will take on a $14-plus million cap hit on Brady’s contract should he remain a free agent once it opens on the 18th. This complicates things. It was part of a “restructured” deal he agreed to last spring.
If New England is unable to come to terms with Brady on a new deal ahead of free agency, it will have to both pay his salary and take on that cap hit.
As it relates to interest in the six-time Super Bowl champion, the Las Vegas Raiders are already said to be willing to offer him a two-year, $60 million contract.
This is going to get darn interesting once free agency opens in exactly a month.