The Facts: Following up on the today's big story. ... Amid national and local stories calling into question Brady's commitment to returning for 2018, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday that the franchise quarterback is seeking a new contract before the upcoming season. "It's not a pressing issue," Garafolo emphasized. "It's not anything that is contentious right now. But Brady would absolutely be interested in revisiting this contract."

Diehards Line:The Patriots have a history of extending Brady's deal with two years remaining on the standing contract. In which case, it's not unreasonable for Brady to expect a renegotiation with an annual average of $14 million due in the final two years of his current agreement. That said, neither Rapoport nor Garafolo believes Wednesday's reports (or Brady's absence from OTAs) represent a ploy by Brady to expedite those talks. In fact, Brady's public statements on the matter have left no doubt that he intends to return for a 19th NFL season. "Tom Brady is going to play in 2018," Rapoport explained. "He said it. Everyone close to him has said it. Everyone I've spoken to has said it. The Patriots are going forward with the very strict and stern belief that he will be playing for 2018. I don't get the sense that they considered any of these reports this morning about 'maybe he doesn't play. ..." Again, Brady said in a nationally broadcast interview in February he would play this year; he's told some teammates the same since then; and while he's not taking part in OTAs, he's training as if he'll return. He's also making plans to hold a passing camp with teammates. So that's where we stand. For now.