New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady isn’t afraid to test free agency. Bill Belichick isn’t afraid to let him. Both parties have agreed to allow the Patriots quarterback to enter free agency in March, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“From what I understand, (Patriots owner Robert) Kraft’s thinking on this is, if the sides come together, if Brady decided the Patriots were his best option after testing free agency and if Bill Belichick, who of course is making the decisions for New England, if he decides that Brady is his best option at this price, that … it will mean that it’s meant to be and it’s best for both sides,” Rapoport said on NFL Network on Monday.

Brady is set to enter free agency on March 18. He can begin negotiation with other teams on March 16 when the legal tampering period opens. New England and Brady could have worked out an extension between now and the new league year, but it appears they won’t even bother trying.

Even with Brady coming off one of his worst statistical seasons, he should be in high demand among quarterback-needy teams — and even among teams which have a quarterback in place. The Las Vegas Raiders, for example, will make an aggressive bid for Brady, per ESPN.

The Patriots are set to have roughly $40 million in cap space for the 2020 offseason, which may prove a limiting factor for the team as they attempt to retain Brady. In fact, because Brady will enter free agency, his contract will void for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, leaving the Patriots with a $13 million cap hit. Had both parties agreed to an extension before March, the Patriots would only incur a $7.5 million hit from Brady’s deal in 2020. But that seems out of the question. Brady will test the market, and New England will have to make a pitch — just like everyone else.