Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your day. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
--So, at the end of a roller-coaster day of news regarding the quarterback, it was revealed late Wednesday in a report from Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Media that Tom Brady is looking for a new contract before the start of the 2018 season. It's important to note that their report indicated that this was not necessarily connected to his decision not to take part in at least the early stages of the offseason workouts. But there's also the very important fact that the report also indicates Brady is set on returning for the 2018 season. When it comes to the possibility of a new deal, Miguel wrote a very timely story a few days ago that laid out the possible timeline.
--Schedule release comes Thursday evening. Got a question on this in my chat on Wednesday -- my guess is the Patriots' games against the Packers, Titans, Vikings, Jaguars and Steelers will end up at 4 p.m. starts or in prime time. With that in mind, it's worth noting that night games are going to start a little earlier this year -- the league announced Wednesday that "Monday Night Football" will kick off at 8:15 this year (it was 8:30 last season), "Sunday Night Football" at 8:20 (8:30 last year), and "Thursday Night Football" at 8:20 (8:25 last year).
--We're scheduled to speak with new tight end Troy Niklas and veteran running back James White Thursday morning. Hope they've briefed Niklas on the number of Rob Gronkowski questions he'll be getting.
Now, on with the links...
1. My column from Wednesday -- the argument is that even with all the drama, the idea of Brady retiring three months before the start of training camp never really seemed to jibe with who he is. Basically, I don't see him bailing on the 2018 season. Maybe he walks away after '18. Maybe at the end of his current deal. But now? Doesn't seem right.
2. Brady is apparently setting up offseason throwing sessions with some of his pass catchers. We also have a note in here on the fact that the Patriots continue to kick the tires on a variety of draftable quarterbacks.
3. As for Bill Belichick's feelings, we're pretty confident they'll be revealed come draft weekend.
4. Mike Loyko continues his in-depth pre-draft series with a look at some wide receiver possibilities for the Patriots.
5. I held a terrific Q&A Wednesday that went on for 90-plus minutes. So much good stuff in there -- BSJ subscribers are awesome.
6. Tom E. Curran wonders about the endgame in the Foxborough cold war.
7. Gotham Chopra, who directed "Tom vs. Time," said he's not going to comment on any possible flap between the quarterback and the coach.
8. The Jaguars are going back to work with the memory of their loss to the Patriots in the AFC title game still fresh in their minds. "It's kind of like, 'Man, that sucks. I can't believe we blew that,'" said quarterback Blake Bortles of the defeat to New England. "That will probably always be in the back of our minds as we missed that opportunity to go play for a Super Bowl. But I think it just gives us that much more motivation to get there again and go win it."
9. A few days late in this one, but it's a terrific story. Don Jones was with the Patriots for a brief stretch in 2014, and distinguished himself as a good locker room presence and someone who provided depth in the secondary. But this is a great example of just what kind of guy he is.
10. Gronk the football player purchased a stake in Gronk the horse that's set to race at the Kentucky Derby.
11. NFL.com has its annual GM rankings.
Extra Point:
Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour and Matt Light are your 2018 #Patriots HOF Finalists.
Vote Now: https://t.co/B7nXp04Mug pic.twitter.com/VU5jXW3r2L
— The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon (@TheHall) April 18, 2018