Column: Soak it in, because no one knows when Patriots' ride will end

FOXBOROUGH — You can absolutely feel the excitement in the air outside of Gillette, even more than three hours before kickoff.

The Patriots are the reigning Super Bowl champions, Roger Goodell will be in the house to receive a well-deserved turdburger from fans, a fifth banner will be dropped before the game, and the Patriots are overwhelming favorites to claim a sixth.

Yes, these are lofty times in Patriots Nation. Let the good times roll into 2017.

But, if I were to impart a little advice heading into the season (if anyone cares), it would be this: Try to enjoy this upcoming ride more than any other.

I know most of you are thinking, What are you talking about, Bedard? The GOAT shows no signs of stopping. This team is stacked for years to come.

I don’t necessarily disagree. However, we’re getting to the point where the future is promised to no one. This could be the last go around for Tom Brady and/or Bill Belichick.

Brady is now 40 years old (duh). Sure, he looks and plays like he’s 30, but you never know what’s going to happen.

We all know the situation. Brady is entering the final season of his contract where he’s a discount, and then his cap figure jumps to $22 million. There were reports after the Super Bowl that Brady would soon receive a contract extension. That hasn't happened (but could, to be sure). Usually, Brady’s contract is done by this point. Why hasn’t it been addressed?

Jimmy Garoppolo, who will be 26 on Nov. 1, is still here, even though his trade value will never be higher than it was this the past offseason.

If the Patriots win a sixth Super Bowl title, will Brady walk away and clear the deck for Garoppolo, who is “eager” to run his own team? That would be best for everyone, if the team believes in Garoppolo.

What if Brady suffers an injury that starts his decline, or at least makes the team believe even more in Garoppolo (this happened in Green Bay with Brett Favre)?

What if Belichick held onto Garoppolo because he thought Brady tailed off a little in the postseason vs. the Texans and Falcons, and that was after 15 games, and now he has to play 19 at his age?

We could also reach a point in the offseason where Garoppolo, looking for his first big contract, wants $20 million annually, Brady says he’ll play for $10 million, and Belichick decides to ship Garoppolo out and draft the next quarterback.

In short, we are now entering a time in Patriots history where it’s getting more and more difficult to say exactly what the future will look like. We could very well be entering the final season with Brady at quarterback for the Patriots. Maybe not, but you can’t rule it out.

If I were you, I wouldn’t even worry about that. I don’t think the Patriots are. I think, in true Belichick/Patriots fashion, they are focused on this season and this season alone. Come what may in the offseason. There is plenty of time for all that after Feb. 4, 2018.

What we do know is the Patriots are the champs, Brady is the quarterback and Belichick is pulling all the strings for 2017, at least. That’s as good as it gets for everyone. Milk that for all it’s worth.