NFL Rumors: Will Tom Brady Hit Free Agency After 2019? Patriots QB Could Be Pursued By Teams In 2020

Tom Brady Bill Belichick Patriots — Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Tom Brady technically agreed to a contract extension with the New England Patriots this past weekend, but the quarterback actually took one step closer to becoming a free agent. According to multiple reports, the new deal includes “void” years for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, meaning the greatest quarterback of all time can hit the open market following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL season.

“It's a unique situation I'm in -- 20th year with the same team, I'll be 42 years old. So pretty much uncharted territory for everybody,” Brady told reporters Monday after practices. “I'm going to go out there and do the best I can this year and see what happens.”

The new contract raises Brady’s 2019 salary from $15 million to $23 million. It also reportedly stipulates that the Patriots can’t use the franchise tag on the six-time Super Bowl champion.

It would be a surprise if Brady actually ends up fielding offers from one of the league’s 31 other teams. New England can come to terms with the superstar on another contract at some point before 2020 free agency officially begins, and they are expected to do so, assuming he chooses not to retire.

Sources: #Patriots QB Tom Brady’s new deal includes a provision that does not allow NE to franchise or transition tag him for the 2020 season. The final two years automatically void on the last day of the 2019 league year, but he cannot be tagged. Brady will be a free agent.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2019

From Inside Training Camp: For the first time in his career, even if it’s for one second to begin the 2020 league year, #Patriots QB Tom Brady can be a free agent. Teams can make their calls to him. pic.twitter.com/dc4R2PmOON
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2019

This isn’t to say Brady is making real estate decisions with the sole intention of leaving the Patriots at the end of the 2019 season – which his contract would reportedly allow – but it most certainly paves the way for their family’s roots in the Boston area to loosen. (2/4)
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 6, 2019

The structure of Brady’s deal, however, has sparked a discussion regarding what Brady’s future might look like beyond 2019. The fact that Brady and his wife, Gisele, have now put their Massachusetts home on the market for $39.5 million will only fuel speculation that maybe Brady could at least consider playing elsewhere in 2020.

Brady has played in 19 NFL seasons, making 16 starts in all but two seasons since 2002. Since Brady tore his ACL in Week 1 of the 2008 season, New England has won the AFC East title in every single year.

New England has reached the Super Bowl in three straight years, winning two championships. Brady and the Patriots have played in eight consecutive AFC Championship Games.

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