Analyzing the Brady Contract Re-negotiation

What is your take on Tom Brady’s contract re-negotiation?

Kyle: I always find the business side of the NFL is amazing. It is the most profitable league, which employs the most athletes, and it has very little guaranteed money. Most of the recent collective bargaining has favored the owners, so any player giving anything back is surprising. That is why my thought on Brady’s restructuring is I am shocked that any player would give away a guaranteed portion of his contract. I am assuming the NFLPA is not happy with this situation. It is good for the Kraft family in the short run and for the patriots in that time frame as well- provided the load up Revis with a huge, upfront bonus. If they don’t, then there is no real point to this restructure.

Rick:  Once again, Tom Brady being able to re-negotiate his contract is huge for the Patriots, especially with the multitude of players they have approaching free agency. The one player that’s key for New England to lock up to a new contract is Darrelle Revis. I think Brady knows that the window for a Patriots’ title is closing and wants to make sure that New England has the money to lock up some of the key young players that have emerged on this squad.

Raj: In some ways, I like it. In other ways, I don’t. More so, I like it. Let’s start though by why I don’t like it. Brady’s restructured contract makes it easier for the Patriots to cut him at will. As his age keeps on increasing, so will his probability of getting cut. With the Patriots, anything is possible. I certainly hope he stays though. Moving onto why I like this move though, it makes sense right? Restructuring a contract helps free up space for key free agents to re-sign with this team. Players like Revis, McCourty, Gostkowski, and Vereen highlight our free agent class for the offseason. It was difficult to afford them all before but now it’s easier. All thanks to TB12’s generosity.

Derek:  I think it shows how good of a relationship Tom Brady has with the Kraft family.  Thirteen weeks ago, if you listened to Boston sports talk radio, you would’ve thought Tom Brady was on his way out the door to Houston.   This was a deal struck out of mutual trust.  Tom Brady gave up some long-term security and in return got three million extra and hopefully some extra talent on his 2015 squad.