Months ago, it seemed like a virtual certainty that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would sign a contract extension this offseason.



He hasn’t. And with his football mortality as real as it’s ever been, there’s been a perception that the absence of a longer-term arrangement should be a concern. That logic might seem out of whack because Brady is still signed through the 2019 season, but consider his history. Of the quarterback’s five contract extensions (2002, 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2016), four were struck with two seasons remaining on his deal. The exception was the 2010 extension, as it didn’t make sense for the two sides to agree in 2009 when Brady came off a complicated knee surgery.



So what’s the deal now? Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who personally negotiated Brady’s most recent extension, told The Athletic it was fairly straightforward, and they’ll gather at the negotiating table if it becomes...