New England star Brady aims to prove himself again
NEW YORK: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, with six Super Bowl rings and a new two-year contract extension in hand, is ready to prove himself again in the NFL.
The superstar signal-caller admitted that at 42, in his 20th year with the same team, he’s in “pretty much uncharted territory.
“I’m going to go out there and do the best I can this year and see what happens,” said the player, who has voiced a desire to play until he’s 45.
Brady has agreed to a two-year extension that is reportedly worth US$70 million and will boost his 2019 salary from $15 million to $23 million.
ESPN, citing an unidentified source, reported that even though the extension is for two years, terms will have to be negotiated if he plays beyond 2019.
“There’s a lot of guys who have one year left on their contract,” Brady told reporters in Michigan, where the Patriots are holding joint pre-season practices with the Detroit Lions.
“I’ve got one year to go and we’ll see what happens,” said Brady.
“I mean, it’s really the reality for most guys in the NFL. I don’t want to think I’m any different than anyone else.
“Football is a tough business. It’s a production business. I’m ready to go this year and that’s really what matters. That’s where my focus is.”
Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said new contracts for quarterback Dak Prescott, running Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver Amari Cooper will get done.
“Just know that like so many things, it’ll happen. It’ll happen,” Jones said.
“There literally is no concern on my part at all about any time frame. That’ll happen. The results are too good for them and too good for the Cowboys. Think about it now. The results are too good for them and too good for the Cowboys. That always happens when it’s that good for both of us.”
Dallas have talked with Prescott and Elliott about new deals, while Cooper is waiting for Julio Jones to sign a new contract before he enters discussions.
Elliott is currently a holdout and working out on his own in Mexico.
In total, Jones said there are seven to eight players Dallas are currently negotiating with or expecting to negotiate with in the near future.