Rumor: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady not yet committed to playing in 2018 (but expect him to)

As if the New England Patriots' offseason does not have enough drama just yet – from the Malcolm Butler Super Bowl benching to key free agents leaving to the Rob Gronkowski retirement saga –, a recent report by ESPN's Adam Schefter adds another chapter to the book titled “Patriots 2018 speculations and rumors”. According to Schefter, quarterback Tom Brady has still not committed to playing next season.

Brady, who will turn 41 in August, is currently not participating in the team's voluntary offseason workouts and instead spends time with his family and personal body coach Alex Guerrero – an approach he had already taken in the past. Schefter also writes that people who know Brady think that the reigning league MVP will be back this season even though some around the quarterback “who would rather see him retire”.

Ultimately, though, the report seems to be little more than speculation on the part of Schefter and fellow ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham. After all, both sources quoted in the story are saying that they see Brady returning next season. And all signs so far this offseason are also pointing towards that happening.

Brady already started working out with wide receiver Julian Edelman earlier this offseason, went on national television saying that he “want[s] to continue do it as best as he can” and told Westwood One radio that he will be “playing football next year”. And despite some reported tension within the Patriots organization and Brady sounding rather reflective in the final episode of the Tom vs Time documentary, it would be a huge shocker to see him hang up his cleats just yet.