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Tom Brady Saves Nearly $2 Million From Potential DeflateGate Suspension With New Contract

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady signed a contract extension with the Patriots last week that keeps him signed in New England through the 2019 season, but the details of the deal were not disclosed - until now.

According to Spotrac, the contract clears $1 million in cap space for the Patriots. He has a base salary of $1 million for the next two seasons, which means Brady would save a modest chunk of cash (by his standards) should his four-game suspension for DeflateGate stand - nearly $1.9 million.

NFL Network national reporter and frequent guest of 98.5 The Sports Hub Albert Breer tweeted about the numbers of the four-year extension, which he said totals $60 million. The new money comes in the form of a $28 million signing bonus.

Those potential cap hits may make it easy for the Patriots to part ways with Brady if his game drops off steeply in the next two seasons, but also easy to pick up one or both of the $15 million options in 2018 and 2019 if Brady continues to play at a high level into his 40s. And there is always the possibility that the Patriots approach Brady for yet another restructuring of his contract.

Brady just led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes and a 1.1 percent interception rate and snagged an MVP vote, so there is still no sign of a significant slowdown on the horizon. Also, Brady is now one of the lowest-paid quarterbacks in the league.

But easily the most eyebrow-raising aspect of the deal is Brady's minuscule base salaries over the next two years and decent potential DeflateGate savings should he have to sit. Maybe that one-finger salute was directed at Roger Goodell after all.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

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