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Tom Brady Focused on Winning, Not Securing New Contract

FOXBORO, Mass. — Tom Brady might not be looking to sign his last contract after all. If the Patriots quarterback really plans to play another 10 years, like he said Friday, he might have two or three contracts left on the table.

Brady is in the final season of his six-year contract, and he addressed the situation at length — some times a little more descriptively than others — after the Pats concluded their morning practice.

"Coach doesn’t like us talking about it a whole lot, so I’ll kind of stick to that," said Brady, who turns 33 next Tuesday. "As I said before, I’m in the position that a lot of guys are in around the league and on this team. While I’m under contract, it’s my responsibility to come out and play as hard as I can. I’ve always felt that’s what I love to do anyway. I love to come out here and compete. I have a job. I think that’s important to realize too. It’s a tough time in the world, and I’m glad I get to come out here and do something I love.

"I think everyone — spoiled athletes and guys who are [complaining] about making millions of dollars — works hard to make a living for themselves, and I certainly don’t think we have much to complain about. We come out, we love what we do — most of us — so I just enjoy coming out and playing. That’s where I get a lot of enjoyment in my life, and I want to do it for a long time."

Outside of Brady's poor choice of barbers — or lack thereof — he's looked like the same guy. He's thrown the ball impressively throughout New England's offseason practices, and he has spent plenty of time leading the offense, whether it's other wide receivers, tight ends, running backs or quarterbacks.

He noted that he's been a captain for "a long time" — every year from 2002-09, to be exact — and he won't let the contract talks be a distraction. However, with all of the rumors circulating about a "growing disconnect," a possible holdout or something entirely different, the contract talk has remained in the news.

And realistically, it's the most important contract extension in the history of the Patriots franchise, so there should be plenty of attention paid its way. Yet, Brady was somewhat vague when he was asked if he wanted to finish his career in New England.

"Certainly, that's everybody goal — Troy Brown's goal and Tedy Bruschi's goal," Brady said. "A lot of people have that. But at the same time, I know that I'm playing this year, hopefully. We still have five weeks to go before final cuts. It's my responsibility to come out and earn a job, do the best I can do. That's where my focus is."

Brady, who has been wearing a slim brace on his left knee, wouldn’t really discuss his state of mind when it comes to trying to sign an extension.

"My personal feelings are my personal feelings," Brady said. "Certainly, I don’t want to express them with anyone other than a very few people, because it doesn’t do any good. It really doesn’t. It doesn’t help this team. It doesn’t help the organization. It just gets in the way."

Brady was also asked about his relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and the rest of the organization, more or less in response to the rumors that Brady is unhappy that he hasn’t yet signed an extension.

"I’ve always been privileged to play for Coach [Bill] Belichick, who I’ve always said, is the best coach in the history of the league," Brady said. "And Mr. Kraft, I have a great relationship with him. I’m not into playing games. I just want to come out here and be the best I can be. Whether you make a dollar playing or make millions of dollars like we make, I really enjoy playing quarterback for this team — since the day I stepped on the field. And it’s something I relish, and every year is an opportunity. You don’t get these opportunities back, and I want to play for another 10 years, hopefully, and each year is an opportunity for us to accomplish something petty special, and I don’t want anything to get in the way of that."