National Football League

Pats, Brady finalize $72M extension

Published Sep. 9, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Tom Brady will become the richest quarterback in NFL history, thanks to a four-year contract extension that will pay him an average of $18 million a season with $48.5 million guaranteed, a source with direct knowledge of the contract told FOXSports.com.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told NBC Sports’ Peter King that the Patriots will file paperwork Friday with the NFL office to extend Brady’s deal. King had reported that the average salary was $19 million per year.

Brady's new deal surpasses the average per year salary currently being paid to New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning ($16.25 million) and his brother, Colts All-Pro Peyton Manning ($14 million).

Reached by telephone Thursday night, Brady’s agent Don Yee would not comment on the report.

Brady is making $6.5 million this season in the final year of a heavily front-loaded six-year deal.

Brady's agreement came on a day in which the two-time Super Bowl MVP was involved in a two-car accident near his home in Boston's Back Bay. Police responded to the scene at about 6:30 a.m. after reports of an accident, police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said.

Brady was unhurt and wasn't hospitalized. He went to Gillette Stadium where he took part in a walkthrough practice at about 10:45 a.m. At the full practice starting shortly after 1 p.m., he stretched with his teammates, threw passes and participated in the entire session in full uniform.

The Patriots begin their season Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brady has had a strong exhibition season after throwing for 4,398 yards, second-most in his career, in 2009. His 28 touchdown passes tied for second in his career. That followed a 2008 season in which he suffered a season-ending injury to his left knee in the opener.

The Patriots drafted Brady in the sixth round out of Michigan in 2000 and he has been the starter since the third game in 2001 after Drew Bledsoe was injured. Brady was named MVP of the Super Bowl that season and in the 2003 season. He also was part of the team that won the championship after the 2004 season.

In 2007, he was named MVP of the NFL when the Patriots were 18-0 before losing the Super Bowl 17-14 to the New York Giants on a last-minute touchdown.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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