AROUND THE NFL More news & notes from Monday

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

QB Tom Brady gets new two-year contract

ALLEN PARK, MICH.

Even with a new contract, Tom Brady faces some uncertainty about his future.

At his age, that’s hard to avoid.

“I’m ready to go this year and that’s really what matters. That’s where my focus is,” Brady said. “It’s a unique situation I’m in. I’m in my 20th year with the same team. I’m 42 years old, so pretty much uncharted territory I think for everybody. I’m going to go out there and do the best I can this year and see what happens.”

Brady agreed to a two-year, $70 million extension through 2021 that includes an $8 million raise in 2019, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Patriots hadn’t announced the extension. ESPN, citing an unidentified source, reported that 2020 and 2021 are void years, and that Brady and the Patriots would need to negotiate further on those if he plays beyond this season.

“There’s a lot of guys who have one year left on their contract,” Brady said. “I’ve got one year to go and we’ll see what happens.”

The Patriots are in Michigan this week, holding joint practices with the Lions in preparation for a preseason game at Detroit on Thursday night. Brady turned 42 on Saturday. Fresh off his sixth Super Bowl title, he’s shown little sign of fading at this stage of his career.

“You’ve got to take care of your body. I wrote a book on it, literally. I live by it and I think it’s given me pretty good results,” Brady said. “I try to pass it on to the next generation so they don’t have to go on through the same mistakes that I did, but everyone learns different ways. Hopefully, I can be an inspiration.”

DALLAS COWBOYS

TE Gathers, ex-Baylor hoops player, waived

OXNARD, CALIF.

The Dallas Cowboys are waiving tight end Rico Gathers, ending three years of steady progress with the club for the former Baylor basketball player who chose to pursue pro football over a shot at the NBA.

The 25-year-old Gathers’ status on the roster became more tenuous when 11-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten came out of retirement after a year in broadcasting. Gathers also missed time at training camp with an ankle injury before Monday’s decision.

Gathers hadn’t played football in a decade when he decided after four years in the Baylor basketball program that he would make himself eligible for the NFL draft. One of the best rebounders in Big 12 history was a long shot to get taken, but the Cowboys grabbed the 6-foot-6 Gathers with their final pick in the sixth round in 2016.

After a year on the practice squad and a season on injured reserve because of symptoms from a concussion, Gathers made the team last year. He played in 15 games with four starts, catching three passes for 46 yards.

Gathers is still facing a one-game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He was arrested on a marijuana possession charge last year.

Witten, Blake Jarwin and Darwin Schultz are likely to make the 53-man roster. Second-year player Codey McElroy is the fourth tight end in camp.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Former DT Norton visits team after crash

MIAMI

Former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton, who had his left arm amputated following a car crash a month ago, is still lending the team moral support.

Norton attended practice at training camp Monday, and players huddled around him during a break midway through the workout.

“To have him out here smiling, it lifts your spirits,” defensive tackle Akeem Spence said. “It’s great. It shows his character.”

The Dolphins signed Norton in December, and following the accident placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list. He played at the University of Miami, was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round in 2018 and spent much of last season on their practice squad.

Associated Press