Carried through by Adam Schefter of ESPN, there is a growing belief in the NFL community that Tom Brady will continue playing in 2020, just not for the New England Patriots. If New England wants to avoid that scenario, coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft are key.

According to Schefter, Belichick and Kraft are an advantage in keeping Brady in Foxborough. Per the NFL insider's sources, that seems to be going well. Belichick reportedly has a “terrific” working relationship with the quarterback. As for Kraft, never underestimate him.

Brady has won all six of his Super Bowls with Belichick as his coach and Kraft the man that signs his paychecks. However, with his contract ending after the 2019 season and him recently selling his house, some are envisioning a future in which the 42-year-old leaves the only team he's played for.

Brady's most recent contract excludes the option for a franchise tag in 2020. Barring an extension, he should be a free agent in March. However, he, as he said on Friday, doesn't get why people are so concerned.

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“My contract situation hasn’t changed in many months, so I don’t know why it gets brought up now,” Brady told reporters on Friday, per Pro Football Talk. “I don’t know. I think it’s just hype, media, and everyone’s trying to make money and that’s what it’s about. I don’t get into it. I mean, honestly, my situation hasn’t changed. I’m just focused on what I’m always focused on, which is this week, trying to be a great quarterback for this team. As I said the other day, things happened at the right times, but this isn’t the right time.”

Perhaps Belichick and Kraft won't have to sway him back, as he is already on-board. Perhaps Brady wants to retire. Perhaps Brady wants to win without Belichick as his coach.

Perhaps answers to lingering questions of his future will be given after the 2019 season.