Patriots fans have received the news they've been waiting for: minutes ago, at the start of the halftime show for tonight's Saints-Vikings game, Sports Illustrated's Peter King reported that New England owner Robert Kraft had informed him that a contract extension between the team and Tom Brady is largely completed and would be officially announced tomorrow.

King said it is a four-year deal, through 2014, that will average $19 million per year. He did not have further details.

UPDATE (10:30 p.m.) - A league source confirms that the paperwork has been signed and will be submitted to league offices in the morning.

UPDATE (11:30 p.m.) - Colleague Albert Breer has confirmed through a league source that the deal is for $72 million total, with $48.5 million guaranteed. That's an average value of $18 million, making him the highest paid player in league history in terms of average annual salary. Of course, that may not last if/when Peyton Manning signs his new deal with the Colts.

So what began as a rough day for Brady ends on a much better note.

Typo on years (2014 vs. 2013) fixed. Simple mistake...