Brady ‘open-minded’ about free agency

Patriots QB Tom Brady becomes an unrestricted free agent on March 18.

Where he plays in 2020 in anyone’s guess, and even Brady isn’t sure.

“I’m open-minded about the process,” Brady said on Westwood One radio, about his upcoming free agency. “At the same time, I love playing football and I want to continue to play and do a great job. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. Whatever the future may bring, I’ll embrace it with open arms.”

Brady, who is 42, created a bit of a buzz when he was in attendance at UFC 246 in Las Vegas on Jan. 18.

There, he was seen talking to Raiders owner Mark Davis.

Last season was Brady’s 20th with the Patriots, whose season ended with a loss to the Titans in an AFC wildcard playoff game.

SUPR BOWL OPENS AS PICK ’EM >> Even the bookies are having a problem figuring out a favorite in the Super Bowl.

Odds opened at pick ‘em Jan. 19 at many Las Vegas sports books, though the Kansas City Chiefs quickly moved to 1-point favorites over the San Francisco 49ers. Early bettors favored the Chiefs in a game that will almost surely set new legal betting records.

The combination of an attractive matchup, close odds and the spread of legalized sports betting means hundreds of millions of dollars will exchange hands over the next two weeks.

Bettors at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook got an early start after they were offered the pick ‘em odds at halftime of the NFC championship game. Oddsmaker Jay Kornegay said about 80 percent of the early money was on the Chiefs and the line moved to Chiefs minus-1.

The over/under total started at 51 1/2 and was at 53 after a bettor put $110,000 on the over.

Odds and point spreads can fluctuate up until the kickoff Feb. 2 in Miami, largely because of heavy bets on one side or the other.

At the new Circa sports books, the game was pick ‘em with a 52 total to open. Sports book director Matthew Metcalf tweeted that bettors could bet up to $100,000 a side on Sunday with limits of $500,000 a side beginning Tuesday morning.

Golf

WESTWOOD CAPTURES WIN >> Lee Westwood secured his 25th European Tour win by closing with a 5-under 67 for a twoshot victory Jan. 19 in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The 46-year-old Westwood now has won in each of the last four decades. Eleven players in the field at Abu Dhabi were not even born when he won his first title in 1996 at the Scandinavian Masters. Victor Perez (63), Tommy Fleetwood (63) and Matt Fitzpatrick (67) tied for second.

Brooks Koepka, the world’s No. 1 player who returned to competition for the first time since October, shot a 69.