The Brady Restructure — What It Means For Patriots

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Matt LaPan, Go Local Sports Reporter

Tom Brady's contract restructure will save the Patriots $24 million

Although Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are still playing out their 2014 season schedule, their eyes are clearly set on 2015. This was made clear on Monday when Brady restructured his current contract to allow the Patriots to have $24 million to help pay for upcoming free agents such as Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty in 2015.

The restructure does not change Brady’s salary cap number, but it did give him a $1 million raise annually. With the annual raise, Brady will now make $8 million against the cap in 2015, $9 million in 2016 and $10 million in 2017. The money is fully guaranteed against injury for the 37 year old Brady.

This is not the first time Brady has restructured his deal, however. Brady restructured in 2012, saving the Patriots $7.2 million in cap space. He they signed a three-year extension in 2013 that, according to reports from NFL Network’s Albert Breer, saved the Patriots over $30 million in cap space over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

What Does It Mean?

What does all of this saved money mean for Brady and the Patriots? First, it means that the Patriots can use about $7 million to help pay bonuses to players in 2015. This could help the Patriots sign any of their big-name free agents. The list of pending free agents for 2015 include left tackle Nate Solder, running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, safety Devin McCourty and most importantly, cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Paying For Revis

When Revis signed with the Patriots, he signed a 1-year deal worth $12 million with an option that would allow the Patriots to keep Revis for a 2nd season — but at an extremely high cost of $25 million against the salary cap. This option includes a base salary of $7.5 million and $12.5 million in roster bonuses that would have to be paid on April 1, 2015. The Patriots can use some, or all of the Brady money to create a “cap break” that would make Revis’ contract more manageable in 2015.

Money For McCourty?

The Patriots could also use this money to help re-sign their tar safety, Devin McCourty. McCourty has become one of the top safety’s in the NFL after moving there from cornerback. McCourty will be an unrestricted free agent in 2015 and will be one of the top priorities for the Patriots to re-sign.

The Patriots will continue to get money back on the Brady restructure for the next three seasons, meaning they can continue to use that money to re-sign other players as they see needed. So while Brady will continue to focus on the upcoming Patriots playoff run, his actions have already helped strengthen the Patriots for 2015.

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