The Buccaneers will sign Tom Brady to a one-year extension (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The new deal will keep Brady in place through 2022. 
Technically speaking, the new add-on is actually a four-year contract extension, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. However, those final years are voidable, making this a one-year extension that ties him to Tampa for just one additional year.
Exact terms of the contract are not yet known. But, the revised deal will provide the Bucs with approximately $19MM in cap room this year (Twitter link via Schefter). As of last week, the Bucs were said to have only $11MM available. Meanwhile, Brady’s presence should help the Super Bowl champs keep the band together. In the coming days, the Buccaneers will work to keep top free agents such as tight end Rob Gronkowski, edge rusher Shaquil Barrett, and wide receiver Antonio Brown.
The future Hall of Famer was initially on the books for $28.4MM in 2021. Coming off a rather successful age-43 season, Brady says he’s open to playing past age 45. Brady will turn 44 in August, so the two sides could be talking extension again in March of 2022.
The Bucs’ bid to keep the band together is already off to a solid start. In recent days, they’ve assigned the franchise tag to Chris Godwin and re-upped linebacker Lavonte David ahead of free agency.
I don’t understand how these voidable years are “legal,” unless they are just a loophole in the CBA, but can’t see NFLPA wanting to get rid of it either as it helps the players…everyone should have them in their contract!
I imagine that in more common contract language, you can basically look at voidable years as option years. Its likely some sort of language that just states the rest of the contract becomes voided after X date.
They aren’t loopholes, as they are allowed specifically. All they do is allow bonuses to be spread out over more years, but when the player hits the void year it all becomes due. With Roethlisberger, it allows the Steelers to count 20% of his signing bonus this season but if he doesn’t sign an extension again they take the 80% next season
Plus, if a player decides to take less money to help the team, that’s his call and not the union’s. They can throw a fit but they can’t stop it from happening. I always tip my hat to a player who will find a way to help his team become better. Its been a staple of Brady’s career. Its why his hands weigh so much.
This is a false narrative about Brady. He always took fat bonus money up front. Next season he’ll become the NFL leader in career earnings. Part of that is longevity, but after his rookie contract he’s been very well compensated.
False, total comp has always been below market intentionally
“Coming off a rather successful age-43 season, Brady says he’s open to playing past age 45.” Wow. I think he had more than a “Rather Successful age-43 season”.
Look out George Blanda, Tommy B is coming for ya!
No player “takes less to help the team free up money” instead, money is shoved forward & in most cases in the long run they make more money.