Bedard: Parsing through the latest Tom Brady rumors - Not much has really changed

It's the last NFL Sunday for a good seven months, meaning those information gatherers at the various networks need to bring their best stuff today while they still have a captive audience.

And there's no bigger fish than Tom Brady. So the big guns were brought out today.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network: "The Patriots are intent on keeping Brady, obviously, believing he has one or two good years left. They are willing, sources say, to pay him in excess of $30 million per year to keep him in New England — a significant commitment that would bring his salary more in line with other elite QBs.' ... If Brady is going to return, he wants to see the team spend on some weapons, which they attempted to do last offseason by signing Antonio Brown, only to have it fail. It would be unlike Bill Belichick to "go for it" but that may close the deal. ... Sources say the Los Angeles Chargers are expected to be among the teams who will make a pitch to Brady. They do have what he'd require, which is a talented team that could win now. The Tennessee Titans also fit that bill, though they'd have to make a decision on whether to franchise tag Ryan Tannehill before free agency commences."

Adam Schefter, ESPN: The Raiders are poised to pursue quarterback Tom Brady if he doesn't re-sign with the Patriots before free agency begins, league sources told ESPN. Whether the Raiders can lure Brady to Las Vegas, as their quarterback and biggest draw, remains uncertain. Patriots owner Robert Kraft has expressed how much he wants Brady to return to New England, and there will be more talks with the team before the free-agent period.

So, what, if anything, to make of all that?

That the Patriots might be willing to pay Brady "in excess of $30 million" is not news to me. I've told you that I think he is coming back and that Brady expects the team to step up when the time comes, and you don't do that for $20 million. An average value of $30 million would put Brady sixth with Matt Ryan. That's fair. Having Brady slotted behind Kirk Cousins ($28 million), Jacoby Brissett, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Matt Stafford — like he was last season — is not fair.

If the Patriots don't reach a deal with Brady before his contract voids, that would really hurt their chances to add many weapons around Brady.

If the Patriots play the free agency game like everyone else does, they should be able to tell Brady what they're doing as far as personnel before his contract does or doesn't get done. New England should lock down some commitments, (really, they just need a tight end on offense and get speed in the draft at receiver) on the first day of the tampering period. Then they can move on to Brady and he can say yes to a new deal — which is what I'm told he has always wanted, despite all the posturing and displeasure in recent years with his contract situations/lack of personnel around him.

I would expect the Chargers, Titans, and Raiders to all reach out to Brady on the first day of the tampering period if the Patriots don't grant him permission to shop himself earlier.

Brady would definitely listen to the Titans. But there's some work to do there with Derrick Henry as a free agent. Easier division too.

Brady would have to at least entertain the Chargers because they are the most desperate team for Brady's star-power. They are a few offensive linemen away from competing, but going to Patrick Mahomes' division — not to mention how negative the Spanos family is viewed around the league — would be a tough sell.

I'm surprised by this Raiders report, even if it comes from the rock-solid Schefter, because Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock have done a great job of keeping things very close to the vest. They don't let much out. This could be a Brady camp power play. Plus, that defense is really bad with a poor scheme and you have the Chiefs in the division. Their offense is one great receiver away from being outstanding. But it's the West Coast Offense. That's a lot of work for Brady to get acclimated to.

Some will think the Patriots report is the Krafts setting up the old, "It's not our fault Brady is elsewhere, we really wanted to have him back," play. I don't see it that way. They can play that game with Wes Welker and others, but not Brady.

I'm still firmly in the camp that Brady will be back for at least two more seasons.