Brady open to moving on from Pats

Tom Brady believes he will enter free agency and is evaluating the prospect of playing for a team other than the Patriots, ESPN reported Thursday.

The 42-year-old quarterback has played all 20 of his NFL seasons with the Patriots, winning a record six Super Bowls.

The Patriots and Brady haven’t had any contract discussions because of the uncertainty surrounding the proposed new collective bargaining agreement, which was approved by the owners and next will voted on by the players.

Once the status of the CBA is determined, Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick are expected to meet and begin a discussion on the structure for a potential contract.

Brady cannot begin negotiating with other teams until the NFL’s legal tampering period opens March 16. The new league year begins March 18.

■ NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said he was confidence players will approve the new collective bargaining agreement that already has been approved by league owners. Player reps voted Tuesday to approve the 10-year agreement with the league, but Smith didn’t provide a timetable as to when the full membership would vote. A majority of the voters would have to approve the deal for it to be put in place . ... Raiders coach Jon Gruden joined GM Mike Mayock in giving quarterback Derek Carr a vote of confidence despite nagging trade rumours. “I love what Derek Carr did, love what he brings to our team and anxious to continue to build around him,” Gruden said at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. Carr, 28, completed a careerbest 70.4% of his passes and threw for a career-high 4,054 yards with 21 TD passes and eight INTs last season.

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