The Quest for 7: Patriots updates, Gronk speaks, Bennett explanation, Links 1.30.20

Morning! Welcome to The Quest for 7, where volunteer writer, Steven Viner, scours the net for seven Patriots related articles from other sites offering different points of view on the six-time champs. Paid subscribers not only get to read all seven, but they also get to check out his always fiery "Steve's Soapbox" at the end.

1. It felt like the Patriots didn't give Michael Bennett a fair shake. There were no rumors or video evidence of him freelancing or not buying in, just an unexplained decrease in snaps each week, before dumping him for nothing. Bennett explained his side of the story with Felger & Mazz, and Boston Sports Journal's own Greg Bedard has the interview here and gives his take on Bennett's words.

2. The million-dollar question for Patriots fans is, "Will Tom Brady return?" But what might be the one-hundred-thousand-dollar question is raised by Mike Reiss of ESPN, in his column what the Patriots wide receivers might look like in 2020. Hopefully they have a solid plan, that convinces the GOAT to stick around.

3. In what should be a slam dunk at this point, Doug Kyed of NESN gives us the chance to read Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's HOF endorsements for Richard Seymour. The letters are amazing, and with Ty Law already in, it's time for the Hall to start recognizing the early group who started the greatest dynasty in football history.

4. Oliver Thomas of Pats Pulpit lets us know that when it comes to Spygate 2.0, Roger Goodell states that he is "going to get it right." I mean, I know I trust a man of such integrity as Mr. Goodell. He has shown time and time again that he always does what's best for the league, and when it comes to handing out discipline, the crime always equals the punishment. Eye-rolling emoji.

5. Patriots fans will always love this man for sacrificing his mind and body for the team, but man has Rob Gronkowski's lovableness taken a hit lately. The fake conch bit — where he drastically hinted he was coming back to play, only to find out it was a promotion for some garbage Super Bowl party — was a slap to the face and not the least bit funny. He recently urged Brady to test the free-agent waters, and now he's yanking on his same fishing rod that always has fans dangling on the other end with his recent comments that an NFL return is not off the table. Thank you Jordan James of 247 Sports for filling us in. Love ya Gronk, but can you start being straight with us?

6. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com gives his 2020 NFL mock draft, and has the Patriots taking what will, unfortunately, be a position of need once this key free agent jumps into a pile of cash from his new team. And if you'd like to know who Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus has as his top-10 quarterbacks in this year's draft, check out his list here.

7. Break out the crystal ball, tarot cards, and tea leaves. A new day brings new insight into TB12's possible future, and Conor Roche of Boston.com fills us in on the new odds on where Brady will ultimately end up. It's going to be a loooooong few months.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

The place where Steve gets to give his take of the day from the perspective of a Patriots fan.

When the Patriots were eliminated from the playoffs, it was cute how everyone outside of New England celebrated as if the nuke destroyed the asteroid, and all of humanity had been saved. All rejoiced about the upcoming Patriots-free Super Bowl, and how amazing and fun it will be.

Yet here we are, days before the big game, and no one can shut up about New England, or Belichick, or what Tom Brady will do. Turn on sports radio, and The Hoodie gets worked into the conversation. Read or listen to interviews on Radio Row, and all current and former players seem to talk about is Brady or why they never joined the Pats, or stories of Patriots past. As a Boston fan who lives in Florida, all I hear is "Ah-ha! Finally I don't have to listen about your cheaters anymore!"

You sure? Because that's all I hear. Your inferior team is the ugly one, and the Patriots are the hottie who you will never have or get out of your head. You tell your friends you wouldn't want them, but deep down, you're jealous, and just a sad, sad, little person. As a Patriots fan ... it feels so good to be great, and I smirk with glee every time I hear a Hater bring us up. You can't help it. We're lounging in that large empty space inside your head. But hey ... enjoy the game!

Be on the lookout for more The Quest for 7 features. Want more Salty Tears and Soapbox? Click on my name above and scroll down for previous Quests!