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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a busy and bizarre day on Thursday. It began with an early morning car accident, from which the star emerged “shaken” but unhurt, and then it ended with the announcement that Brady had agreed to a four-year extension that would pay him an average of $18 million per year, the highest average annual salary in the history of the National Football League.

The extension kicks in next season, keeping Brady a Patriot until 2015 — the extension includes $48.5 million guaranteed. This year, Brady will make $6.5 million in the final year of a four-year extension that has paid him an average of $12 million per season. Brady turned 33 in August, but has said he wants to play another 10 seasons.

The NFL’s previous highest-paid player was ridiculously Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who rode one flukey Super Bowl win to a six-year extension beginning in 2011 that will pay him an average annual salary of $16.25 million.  Eli’s brother Peyton Manning is in the final year of a seven-year deal that’s paid him an average of $14 million per year.  Colts owner Robert Irsay has said he plans to make Peyton the highest-paid player in the NFL even though his Manning has also only won one Super Bowl to Brady’s three.

Brady’s extension was first reported during halftime of the regular season opener as Brett Favre and Drew Brees battled it out. The Saints went on to beat the Vikings 14-9. Brees was 27-for-36 for 237 yards and one touchdown, while Favre was limited to 15-for-27 for 171 yards with one TD and one interception.