Patriots' Kraft Blasts Critics Who Argue Tom Brady Contract is a 'Fake' Deal

Patriots' Kraft Blasts Critics Who Argue Tom Brady Contract is a 'Fake' Deal

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had some stern words for critics who question the veracity of a three-year, $27 million extension contract signed by quarterback Tom Brady.

Brady is being praised by many for accepting a smaller payout to remain on the team, but others argue that the deal is “fake” and will be redone in the future to give the quarterback a much larger paycheck.

“No, no, no,” Kraft told Peter King of Sports Illustrated. “This is a real deal. Look at our track record. We don’t do fake deals. The contract we have with Tom Brady is a real contract we will both live by.”

Kraft explained that he wanted to see Brady finish out his career in New England, but that the NFL had to be “smart” about it and develop a solution that work for all parties. In a private six-hour meeting with Brady, the two decided that the Patriots would convert all the money in the last two years of his existing contract to guaranteed money in the form of bonuses to be paid out between now and 2015, according to Sports Illustrated. In addition, the team would add $3 million to the deal now.

Under the talent agreement, Brady will receive $7 million in 2015, $8 million in 2016 and $9 million in 2017.