Report: Brady seeking new contract with Patriots ahead of 2018 season

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is seeking a new contract before the 2018 season and plans to return to the team, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reports.

Other reports say Brady has yet to commit to returning this season, but teammates reportedly say he has been in discussions about the 2018 campaign.

"Tom Brady is going to play in 2018," Rapoport said on NFL Network. "He said it. Everyone close to him has said it. Everyone I've spoken to has said it. The Patriots are going forward with the very strict and stern belief that he will be playing for 2018."

Brady's current deal is up after the 2019 season and the Patriots have typically extended his contract with two years remaining. The 40-year-old has an annual salary of $14 million with a $22-million cap hit the next two seasons. The issue is not considered pressing right now, according to Garafolo, but it is something Brady is interested renegotiating.