With six Super Bowl trophies in his outstanding resume, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should have been the highest-paid player in the NFL. However, Brady is just 18th among quarterbacks in terms of annual average value, earning only $15 million per year. Currently, Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks leads the pack with an annual average salary of $35 million, owing to the four-year, $140 million deal that he signed recently. Brady’s former backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, earns more than him, with an average annual salary of $27.5 million from the five-year, $137.5 million contract that he signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
When asked by television host Jimmy Kimmel why he’s not the highest-paid player in the NFL, Brady said it’s because he always gives the Patriots a hometown discount. Brady then explained why he’s willing to accept pay cuts and the reason why he can afford it. According to Brady, his priority is winning over money, so he always wants the Patriots to get a lot of good players around him. This way, Brady said he can perform at a high level. “For a competitive advantage standpoint, I like to get a lot of good players around me,” said Brady. The 41-year-old quarterback said that if he asks for a lot of money from the Patriots, the team’s capability to add more talented players will be restricted due to the salary cap.
Also, Brady said "my wife [supermodel Gisele Bundchen] makes a lot of money," allowing him to take a pay cut without any effect on their family’s income.
Brady not tired of playing quarterback
During the interview, Brady also told Kimmel that he’s not tired of playing quarterback despite his age. Earlier, Brady intimated that he wants to play until he’s 45 years old, forcing the Patriots to trade Garoppolo to the 49ers two years ago.
Despite having six Super Bowl rings, Brady said the competitive fire in him always inspires him to line up and go after another championship. "Damnit, I want to win! What's wrong with winning?!” Brady told Kimmel.
Brady discusses UCLA workout
Brady did not show up at the Patriots’ voluntary workouts recently because he wanted to give more time to his family.
However, Brady is training on his own and plans to show up “bulkier” and “bigger” when the Patriots begin their Super Bowl title defense. Recently, Brady posted a video of his throwing session with teammate and close friend Julian Edelman at Boston College. Recently, Brady also worked out at UCLA where he threw to Bruins wide receivers Demetric Felton, Kyle Philips, and Chase Cota. When asked by Kimmel about his UCLA workout, Brady said it was his way to keep things sharp during the offseason.
