New England Patriots, Tom Brady Agree to Contract Extension

The New England Patriots believe that veteran quarterback Tom Brady has a couple of good years left in the league.

The team agreed to a two-year contract extension that will have Brady playing through 2019, ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini reported first. Brady already has two years remaining on his original contract, which included salaries worth $9 million in 2016 and $10 million in 2017.

The exact details of the deal, which has not officially been signed according to league sources, are unclear. Analysts are expecting Brady's 2016 and 2017 salaries to drop significantly under the new deal, which would help the Patriots with their cap space. Brady's salary is expected to cost $15 million against the salary cap in 2016 and another $16 million in 2017.

To offset the salary reductions, the extension will most likely include a large signing bonus that could be similar to the one Brady received three years ago. That bonus was worth $30 million.

If Brady remains healthy enough over the next few years, he could play until he is 42 and into his 20th season. Brady turns 39 later this August.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPN:

"The term of the extension sets up the possibility that Brady plays 20 seasons with the Patriots. As Schefter said on SportsCenter, Brady would become just the third player in NFL history to spend 20 seasons with the same team, joining Hall of Famers Jackie Slater and Darrell Green. That's a stat that I think means something to Brady."

Jimmy Garoppolo, the team's back-up quarterback, is signed through to the 2017 season.

The Patriots are reportedly working on several contract extensions with core players. Four of the team's top defenders, Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower, Chandler Jones and Malcolm Butler, have contract that expire after the 2016 season.