TOMPA BAY
But like actually, can they just change the name of the city? Tom Brady is going nowhere fast, as he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed on a four-year contract extension that voids to a one-year extension. Confused? It means that the 🐐 is staying in Tampa through the 2022 season. Brady will be 45 when that season begins.
Per ESPN, the move saves the Super Bowl champs $19 million against the salary cap, which makes keeping the crew together a lot more feasible. Earlier this week, the Bucs used the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin and re-signed linebacker Lavonte David to a two-year extension. Is it football season yet?
Cam Newton and the Patriots
Meanwhile in the AFC East, Tom Brady’s former team has made a QB move of its own. The England Patriots are re-signing quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal.
In 2020, Newton threw for 2,657 passing yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The former NFL MVP also rushed for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Per Adam Schefter, it is about a $14 million contract, with Mike Garafolo reporting that the deal has a base value of $5 million with the rest tied to incentives.
NFL Salary Cap
The NFL Free Agency period begins next week, and teams will be working with a lower salary cap than what they’re used to. The cap number is $182.5 million for 2021, which is an 8% decrease from 2020’s $198.2 million cap number. The decrease is, of course, due to reduced revenue from the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, teams are making moves.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs will restructure the contract of QB, and side-arm magician, Patrick Mahomes, converting his $21.7 million roster bonus to a signing bonus. Thursday, the AFC Champions released offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz.
Teams can begin signing players on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT, but they can begin negotiating with free agents on Monday. Let the games begin.
Home Is Where The NFL Draft Is
Don’t get too comfy. The NFL Draft is moving out of the living rooms and back to the draft rooms.
As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL informed all 32 teams that they will be allowed back in their draft rooms for the 2021 NFL Draft, which will take place from April 29-May 1.
Teams will be required to distance and wear masks, while eating and drinking will not be allowed. As of now, the Draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio.
NCAA Men’s Basketball and COVID-19
After a positive test for COVID-19, Kansas has withdrawn from the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament. The team, who was scheduled to play Texas in the semifinals today, is staying in Kansas City for daily tests in preparation for the NCAA tournament.
Meanwhile, in the ACC, both Virginia and Duke have had to withdraw from the ACC tournament after positive COVID tests. For Duke, that puts an end to the Blue Devils’ season, but the Cavaliers should still be able to participate in the NCAA tournament, as long as the rest of the team continues to return negative test results.