Tom Brady was not on the start of the Patriots offseason program Monday at Gillette Stadium.

Now, ESPN is at least posing the possibly that Brady may not even play football in 2018.

Wednesday morning ESPN cited sources who “know” Brady, saying that they believe he will play this coming season though “they cannot say that for sure.”

"My money would be on him playing football for the foreseeable future, but what goes on away from the football field, I don't know," one source told ESPN. "I don't know."

Obviously, the rest of the news surrounding the Patriots pales in comparison to the Brady story.

As New England's special teams captain and a seven-time Pro Bowler thanks to his work in the kicking game, Matthew Slater admits that his oppinions on kickoffs are a bit biased.

But while talking to the gathered New England media Tuesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium about a variety of topics, Slater made his feelings about the growing limitations on kickoffs quite clear.

The Boston Globe says we shouldn’t even suggest eliminating kickoffs to Slater. "I think you take away this play from football, you're taking away … you're changing the fabric of the game," Slater said.

As it continues to preview next week's NFL Draft, the Globe wonders whether receiver or tight ends are bigger difference makers. The* Globe* is one of many who think a sketch of a man related to the Stormy Daniels/President Trump scandal looks something like Brady.

The Boston Herald says that Slater put the emphasis on team-building during Patriots offseason workouts. The *Herald *notes that Danny Amendola had his introductory press conference with the Dolphins.

A *Providence Journal *columnist wonders if this is the beginning of the end for Patriots.

ESPNBoston.com also has Slater discussing kickoffs and the possibility of the play being taken out of the game of football. ESPNBoston.com declares that the draft could help the Patriots lack of a breakaway threat at running back.

ESPN's The Undefeated looks at Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell’s contributions off the field, creating “an army of book lovers.”

WEEI.com says that if Bill Belichick wants to “turn the tables” on Brady and Rob Gronkowski then he’ll draft a quarterback and tight end high in next week’s draft. WEEI.com has Slater talking about the star passer and pass catcher missing the opening days of the Patriots offseason program. WEEI.com has Amendola saying he wanted to play for “a good coach and a good team in a good city.”

NBC Sports Boston continues to preview the draft by position with a look at tight ends and the possibility that New England could add some “Gronk insurance.”

NFL.com has the NFL announcing that it will announce its 2018 schedule on Thursday night. Holy hype train, Batman! NFL.com has five Patriots games in its list of the top 18 games to watch in 2018.