Ahead of Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, a rumor emerged from ESPN that this could be the final game for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. While it was clarified as merely speculation, the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that Brady and Belichick are expected to return next season.
But first, they need to clear the air on some issues.
From @NFLGameDay: The belief is #Patriots QB Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick will be back. But during a meeting likely this week, there are issues to hash out. pic.twitter.com/0cOqi4ZM0d
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2018
“There still are issues, from my understanding, to work out in New England. From everyone I've spoken with, the belief is Bill Belichick will be back, Tom Brady will be back, and of course Robert Kraft will be as well.”
According to Rapoport, those issues include how to better handle their relationship with Brady's trainer Alex Guerrero, sorting out some angst regarding the Jimmy Garoppolo trade, and possibly restructure Brady's contract extension over the next two years, which is how long they expect him to play.
Given everything these three men have done and accomplished together, it's likely that they'll successfully hash everything out, especially if the meeting comes on the heels of a sixth NFL championship. About five hours away from kickoff, the Patriots are 4.5-point favorites over the shorthanded Eagles in Minneapolis.
New England has a habit of providing fans with exhilarating Super Bowls. All seven of their previous appearances with Brady and Belichick have been decided by one score, with last year's 34-28 overtime final actually being the largest margin of victory. They won their first three Super Bowls by three points each time, lost by three and then four to the New York Giants, and then beat the Seattle Seahawks by four thanks to Malcolm Butler's game-clinching interception.
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