Details of Tom Brady’s new contract from Buccaneers suggest he was simply done with the Patriots



After reports indicated Tom Brady would sign with the Buccaneers in 2020 NFL free agency, couple days of limbo passed before both the 42-year-old quarterback and the team officially announced the most notable move in the NFL this year. We already knew the “whys” related to Brady’s move from New England to Tampa Bay. Now that details of his new deal with the Bucs have emerged, we know the “how,” as well.

According to multiple reports, Brady and the Buccaneers agreed a two-year deal worth $50 million, and the entirety of the contract is guaranteed. On top of that, Brady could earn an additional $9 million in incentives if certain marks are hit over the next two seasons.

MORE: How the Bucs became Brady’s best fit

An interesting note from NFL Media: New England “likely would have done this contract

” had Brady expressed interest in a return to the Patriots. But he did not. This verifies the idea that Brady was simply ready to play elsewhere and did not truly consider a return to New England after 20 years.

NFL Media also reported the Bucs and the Chargers were the only teams that extended offers to Brady in free agency. This verifies the idea that Brady simply chose Tampa Bay over Los Angeles for both personal and professional reasons.

Below are the full reported details of Brady’s new deal, and what each aspect means for the quarterback and the team.

Tom Brady’s Buccaneers contract

— Two years: This shows a multi-year commitment to Brady, which was a no-brainer for the Buccaneers considering a one-year “prove it” contract would have been a slap in the face to the greatest quarterback of all time. Barring a highly unlikely premature retirement or an even more unlikely release, Brady will be in Tampa Bay for at least two seasons. (He can’t be traded. More on that later.)

— $50 million, all guaranteed: The $50 million in total contract value reportedly is less than what the Patriots offered Brady last year. The difference, as NFL Media points out, is the fact that the $50 million in Brady’s deal with the Bucs is fully guaranteed. In terms of fully guaranteed money, Brady’s $50 million ranks 10th among NFL quarterbacks.

Rank Guaranteed QB Team
1. $94.5 million Matt Ryan Falcons
2. $78.7 million Aaron Rodgers Packers
3. $70 million Russell Wilson Seahawks
4. $66.47 million Carson Wentz Eagles
5. $66 million Kirk Cousins Vikings
6. $62 million Ryan Tannehill Titans
7. $60.5 million Matthew Stafford Lions
8. $57.04 million Jared Goff Rams
9. $55 million Alex Smith Redskins
10. $50 million Tom Brady Buccaneers

— $25 million per year: In terms of average annual salary, Brady’s $25 million per year ranks 12th among current NFL quarterbacks. (Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Derek Carr also earn $25 million per year; Matthew Stafford is just ahead at $27 million per year.)

The 10 highest-paid QBs on an average per year basis are below. 

Rank Salary QB Team
1. $35 million Russell Wilson Seahawks
2. $34 million Ben Roethlisberger Steelers
T3. $33.5 million Jared Goff Rams
T3. $33.5 million Aaron Rodgers Packers
5. $33 million Kirk Cousins Vikings
6. $32 million Carson Wentz Eagles
6. $30.144 million (tag) Dak Prescott Cowboys
7. $30 million Matt Ryan Falcons
8. $29.5 million Ryan Tannehill Titans
9. $27.975 million Jacoby Brissett Colts

According to NFL Media, the breakdown of Brady’s two-year contract in Tampa Bay is as follows:

  • 2020: $10 million roster bonus, $15 million base salary
  • 2021: $10 million roster bonus, $15 million base salary

— $4.5 million per year in incentives: This is a crucial element for the Buccaneers. It was widely assumed that the team that landed Brady in 2020 free agency would have to pay him $30 million per year or more. By getting Brady for $25 million per year and offering an additional $9 million in potential incentive money, Tampa Bay maintains some salary cap flexibility as it tries to add pieces around its new quarterback.

The goals Brady needs to hit in order to earn his incentives are as follows (per NFL Media):

  • Up to $2.25 million each year tied to top 5 in passer rating, touchdowns, yards, completion percentage, yards per pass
  • Up to $2.25 million each year tied to playoffs, playoffs and playing time, Super Bowl playing time 

— No tags or trades: Brady gave up some guaranteed annual money so the Bucs could keep some cap flexibility. In return, it seems, the Bucs agreed to clauses in the contract that prohibit their trading or franchise/transition tagging Brady for the duration of the deal.

This is notable considering Brady requested the same of the Patriots when they restructured his deal last summer — months before he left the team upon hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. The fact that he has no trade/tag clauses in his new deal with the Bucs suggests he desires a similar freedom after the 2021 season.

Brady has consistently stated he wants to play in the NFL until he’s 45. To accomplish that, he would need to play in 2022. This contract maintains Brady’s opportunity to do that — in Tampa Bay or elsewhere.



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