NFL notebook: Tom Brady signs 2-year extension with Patriots, gets hefty raise

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is signing a two-year, $70 million contract extension that runs through 2021 and includes a hefty raise this season, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.

The person, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Patriots had not announced the extension, confirmed the NFL Network’s report of Brady’s extension.

Brady, who never has played out the final season of a contract in his 20-year NFL career in New England, will get an $8 million raise this season, when he will make $23 million.

The extension also calls for him to make $30 million next season and $32 million in 2021, when he would be 44.

Brady and the Patriots open defense of their latest Super Bowl title against the Steelers on Sept. 8. Usually, the champion kicks off the season, but that honor goes to the Packers and the Bears this year as the NFL celebrates its 100th season.

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AB day-to-day

Antonio Brown’s foot injury shouldn’t keep him off the practice field for long.

After visiting a foot specialist Saturday, the Raiders wide receiver is considered day-to-day, the NFL Network reported.

The news is positive albeit expected for the four-time All-Pro receiver.

Brown missed the last few days of camp after starting on the nonfootball injury list with an undisclosed issue and then being cleared to participate July 28.

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Ngakoue ends holdout

Yannick Ngakoue’s holdout failed to land him a new contract.

The standout pass rusher reported to Jacksonville Jaguars training camp Sunday following an 11-day absence and is ready to play out his rookie deal. He said he’s not angry and not worried about risking an injury that could cost him millions.

Ngakoue passed his conditioning test an hour before practice and took his usual spot with the first-team defense.

Ngakoue is entering the final year of a $3.84 million contract. He is due to make $2.025 million this fall — far less than other top playmakers at his position. He also is facing $528,650 in fines — more than a quarter of his salary — because he skipped a three-day minicamp in June and nearly two weeks of training camp.

He had been seeking more than $20 million a year, but the Jaguars seemingly don’t consider the former third-round draft pick from Maryland a complete or elite defensive end. Jacksonville also selected Ngakoue’s potential replacement, Josh Allen from Kentucky, with the seventh overall pick in the NFL draft and is expected to make Jalen Ramsey the league’s highest-paid cornerback next year.

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Nelson retires

Veteran wide receiver Jordy Nelson is retiring as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

The 34-year-old Nelson played in Green Bay from 2008-2017, winning a Super Bowl with the Packers, before spending last season with the Oakland Raiders. A news conference is planned for Tuesday.

Nelson had 550 receptions and 69 touchdown catches in his 10 seasons in Green Bay. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014, missed the 2015 season with a knee injury and was named the 2016 Comeback Player of the Year.

Nelson led the Packers with nine receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s 31-25 Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011.

He played in 15 games for Oakland last year, finishing with 63 receptions for 739 yards and three TDs.

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Broncos sign Riddick

Blindsided by the Lions, running back Theo Riddick became an unexpected free agent just as training camps were opening across the NFL.

He landed in Denver and signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Broncos eight days after his surprising release from Detroit.

A valuable pass catcher with 285 career receptions, Riddick drew interest from several teams and met with the Saints. But he chose the Broncos “because they’re going to utilize my talents and my strengths” and experience, Riddick said.

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Texans part ways with Freeman

Running back D’Onta Foreman was released by the Houston Texans.

Foreman, who was a third-round pick in 2017, appeared in one game last season after rupturing his Achilles tendon late in his rookie year.

The Doak Walker Award winner played 10 games including one start as a rookie, finishing with 78 carries for 327 yards and two touchdowns.