The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their first Super Bowl in almost two decades in February, and they did so largely because they successfully attracted the future New England Hall of Fame Tom Brady. Now, they are working to keep the 43-year-old defender close for at least a few more seasons. Weeks after Bucs general manager Jason Licht suggested that the team could sign a new contract with Brady, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports that the two sides have started working on just that.
Brady, who signed a $ 53.375 million two-year deal with Tampa Bay in the off-season, is currently “exploring options to extend his business,” by La Canfora. An extension would not only keep Brady connected to the Bucs beyond 2021 – his 44-year season – it would be more important to allow the team to reallocate resources in 2021 as a free agency.
Brady’s “goal is to do what he can to help retain great players and build the foundation for more success,” reports La Canfora. “Brady is obsessed with more Lombardis and knows that (the) Bucs (are) in trouble” with his impending free agents. That includes wide receiver Chris Godwin, star pass rusher Shaquil Barrett and veteran defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, all of whom are expected to hit the open market later this month. Godwin and Barrett were speculated as candidates to receive the Bucs franchise label, but a lucrative extension could be needed to keep the two Super Bowl holders in town.
Brady, of course, is well known for consistently closing deals below the market during his 20-year New England season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is currently expected to have $ 28.375 million against the 2021 salary cap, the sixth highest number among active QBs.
Licht did not seem disturbed by Brady’s chance to play until he was 40 when discussing the QB contract in February.
“It’s a possibility,” he said of an extension. “He certainly didn’t seem to have slowed down this year. So that’s a possibility. We will have to see how it goes. … It looks like he really enjoyed himself this year, winning the Super Bowl. (He) likes our organization , likes our coaches, likes our head coach and the property. And we certainly love him. Usually, when you have these things in your favor, it’s a combination made happen. So we would like to keep going. “