Sports | April 18, 2018 9:20 am

Report: Tom Brady Hasn’t Committed to Return to Football Next Season

The New England quarterback has yet to give official word he'll be playing in 2018.

Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after fumbling the ball during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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By Evan Bleier @itishowitis

With the NFL Draft about a week away and his potential replacement on New England’s draft board, Tom Brady has yet to give official word he’ll be returning to play for the Patriots in the 2018 season.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, soon-to-be-41 Brady hasn’t committed to playing next season either privately or publicly and there are people he is close to who would rather see him retire.

The five-time Super Bowl champion has yet to report to New England’s offseason program and has made it clear he plans to spend more time this offseason with body coach Alex Guerrero.

On the surface, all of that makes the three-time NFL MVP’s future in New England look bleak, but, considering he’s in the final year of a contract and is vastly underpaid at $14 million a season, this could all be part of a power play for an extension and a raise.

In Schefter’s report, he does say league sources told ESPN people who know Brady believe the quarterback will return for the coming season.

“I believe he’s going to be there,” a person who knows Brady told ESPN. “However, having said that, we’re dealing with a human being. Things can change. But I do believe he will be playing.”