2020 NFL free agency: Patriots and Tom Brady’s camp expected to start contract negotiations later this week

Three weeks before the start of the NFL’s 2020 league year, the New England Patriots have been relatively quiet in regards to their biggest star and his impending free agency. The team has had some conversations with Tom Brady as well as his agent, Don Yee, but there have not been any substantial talks between the two sides with respect to a new contract for the six-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. That, however, might change this week.

The Patriots and Brady’s camp are expected to get together at the scouting combine in Indianapolis over the next few days, according to a report by Ian Rapoport. The meetings between the two sides “should be the starting-off point for real dialogue over the course of the next month,” as Rapoport pointed out during an appearance on NFL Network. Brady, of course, is scheduled to hit free agency for the first time in his career on March 18.

While no potential extension is expected to be reached “until right up in the cusp of free agency,” getting talks underway now is standard procedure: the combine is widely regarded as the unofficial starting point of free agency, with player and team representatives all present for the week-long event. Yee should therefore be able to get a clearer picture of the market that is expected to develop for his soon-to-be 43-year-old client.

The Patriots, meanwhile, will try to get an early feel for what Brady is looking for as it relates to his future in New England — from possible guarantees beyond the 2020 season, to an improved supporting cast after a disappointing 2019 campaign.