Report: Patriots willing to pay Brady over $30M per year to stay

The New England Patriots intend to retain Tom Brady for the 2020 season and appear ready to pay a hefty price to do so.

The Patriots are willing to pay the impending free-agent quarterback in excess of $30 million per year to keep him in New England, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Brady is expected to have options when the new league year begins, however. The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly expected to make pitches for the 42-year-old if he elects to leave the Patriots.

The six-time Super Bowl champion has spent his entire 20-year career with the Patriots, but he may be open to playing for another franchise. According to Rapoport, he wants to see the team spend on offensive weapons in free agency.

An average annual value of $30 million would place Brady among the league's highest-paid passers. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan currently earns that amount and ranks sixth among NFL pivots in salary, so New England appears willing to pay its superstar top-five money despite his age.

Brady can't sign a new deal with the Patriots until free agency begins on March 18, and it's likely he'll wait until around that time to negotiate an agreement in earnest, according to Rapoport.

Both Brady and the Patriots believe the veteran has "one or two good years" left in him.

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