New England Patriots

And here ... we ... go!!!!

Tom Brady might really be on his way outta Foxborough ... 'cause his agents have been busy meeting with potential suitors while in Indy for the NFL Combine, this according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Talks of TB12 leaving the Patriots intensified on Thursday ... with ESPN's Jeff Darlington going as far as to say he'd be very surprised if the 6-time champ returned to New England.

Now, the NFL Network is naming names ... with Rapoport saying the Colts, Raiders and Chargers have met with Brady's longtime agents, Don Yee and Carter Chow, about their superstar client.

In fact, TMZ Sports spoke with Brady's old teammate, Willie McGinest, who also believed the 42-year-old QB could either retire or end up elsewhere ... so don't be shocked if it actually happens.

As for Brady ... he's probably gonna troll the hell outta everybody until he makes his decision -- whether it be Hulu ads or triggering comments on Keenan Allen's IG posts.

Take a deep breath, Pats fans ... and remember the man brought you 6 rings.

Also, if you think Pats owner Robert Kraft is simply going to let Tom walk out the door without making a solid effort to re-sign him, you clearly didn't watch our shaky, hard-to-hear 12-second BOMBSHELL clip from a few weeks ago.

Originally Published -- 1:12 PM PT

"His game is as good as it's ever been."

That's Brett Favre saying he hasn't seen ANY decline in Tom Brady at 42 years old ... telling TMZ Sports TB12's teammates deserve most of the blame for his down year.

"I saw a quarterback still able to do what he normally does but the cast around him was not up to par," Favre says ...

"How many times did we see Tom frustrated this year because guys were not on the same page?"

Tom posted a near career-low 88.0 QB rating this past season ... and his Pats didn't make a deep postseason run for the first time in YEARS.

But, Favre tells us a TB12 decline wasn't the reason for that at all ... saying he believes Tom still consistently showed the same tools that made him the game's G.O.A.T.

"I didn't see any decline in his arm strength," Favre says.

Still, Favre acknowledges Brady might be moving on from the Pats after this season ... and as someone who famously left Green Bay toward the end of his career, he spoke with us about what Tom's mindset could be heading into this offseason.

So, we saw Bill Belichick leaving Prime 112 in Miami over the weekend with his girlfriend, Linda Holliday ... and when we asked about Tom Brady's future, SHE CRACKED UP!

Obviously Bill ain't about to spill the tea on his QB in the middle of the street -- and everyone knows it -- but Linda's reaction to our photog's effort made us laugh.

"You know he's not gonna answer," Linda told us while fighting through the laughter. She was super nice and ultimately correct -- but hey ... she warned us!

Belichick and Holliday were leaving a night out with Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, who spent years working under Belichick as part of the Patriots coaching staff.

The two are still super close.

As for Tom Brady, the 42-year-old made a commercial for Hulu claiming he's "not going anywhere" -- but many believe there's a very real chance he leaves the Patriots.

So, where could he end up?

There are reports the Las Vegas Raiders are making a serious push to get TB12 -- and there are rumblings the Tennessee Titans are also in the mix as a possible landing spot.

Tom Brady's cryptic photo at the stadium was cleared during the Super Bowl -- he's getting paid by Hulu, and probably not retiring from the NFL ... the latter, we already sorta knew.

TB12 was the star of a new Hulu commercial that was a red herring for his future in the NFL. He plugged the hell out of the streaming service, but ended the ad with a pretty declarative statement ... "I'm not going anywhere," which could be interpreted a couple ways.

So yeah, all that in/out of the tunnel intrigue he sparked turned out to be nothing more than promoting Hulu ... and, at the very least, he'll likely play again next year.

That's not really news though -- tons of folks, including NFL insiders and reporters, suspected he wouldn't hang it up this year. The question now ... where's he gonna play???

The Hulu ad didn't offer much in terms of an answer, and Tom himself was pretty tight-lipped about the subject when we ran into him heading into Hard Rock Stadium Sunday. He was gracious with us, saying he just wanted to watch football today. So be it, G.O.A.T.

Of course, the guy's got options. Reports surfaced this weekend that the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders would be in the hunt for Tommy if he became a free agent.

Chandler Jones says chill the hell out -- there's no puzzle to solve in Tom Brady's mysterious photo that had everyone trippin' on Thursday ... "Tom's not going anywhere!!!"

Of course, Chandler spent 4 seasons with the New England Patriots before being traded to the Cardinals in 2016 -- and he's still friendly with a bunch of guys on the team.

So, when we saw him out at the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest in Miami Thursday night, we had to know if Jones had any insight on TB12's career plans!!

"Sounds like he's about to go head out for practice or something. I wouldn't buy too much into it. Tom has some more years left in him for sure. Don't buy into that."

Jones continued ... "I don't see him playing with anyone else. I really don't. Tom's not going anywhere. I'd be surprised. We'll all be surprised but I don't think he's going anywhere."

Another person who's trying to keep Tom in Boston is Pats owner Robert Kraft who told us just last week they "plan to" have Brady back in the fold for the 2020 season.

There have been rumblings the 42-year-old QB is interested in playing for the Tennessee Titans -- since the team is stacked and Tom's close with head coach Mike Vrabel.

So, is Chandler right? Are people making a big deal out of nothing?

Tom Brady made people lose their damn minds on Thursday ... by posting a possibly ominous message for New England Patriots fans.

The foreboding photo shows a shadowy figure (we're assuming it's TB12, but who knows at this point) walking in the tunnel at a stadium. It's dramatic as hell.

But the big mystery -- is Brady walking IN to the tunnel, or is he walking OUT to the field??

Depending on the direction, it could be bad news for the Pats -- there have been rumors Brady is ready to move on to another franchise ... and this may be a way for him to soften the blow for New England.

Remember, we spoke with Pats owner Robert Kraft last week ... and he said "the plan" was to bring Brady back next season.

TB12 is a free agent ... but that doesn't necessarily mean he's going anywhere. The dude very well could be messing with all of us for fun.

So we gotta ask ...

Tom Brady is congratulating Eli Manning on his 16-year NFL career ... by wishing the N.Y. Giants quarterback NEVER won a Super Bowl!!!

Of course, Manning's 2 rings came at the expense of Brady's Patriots in dramatic fashion -- remember David Tyree?? Mario Manningham?? Yeah. Still hurts for New England fans.

Now that Eli is calling it a career, Brady gave his old foe a congratulatory tweet ... and threw in a friendly jab.

"Congratulations on your retirement, and a great career Eli! Not going to lie though, I wish you hadn’t won any Super Bowls."

Haaaa ... good one, TB12. Although, can you imagine if Manning DIDN'T win those 2 Super Bowls?? Brady would have 8 freakin' rings.

Manning is having a press conference to officially hang it up on Friday ... so that's one less QB Brady has to worry about.

And now, TMZ Sports Presents: Terrible Clip, Great Soundbite ... starring Robert Kraft!!!

Here's the Patriots owner out in NYC on Tuesday ... giving Pats fans hope Tom Brady ain't done in New England yet -- all while piling himself into the back of his chauffeured ride on a busy street!!!

We know, not exactly Zapruder footage -- but the exchange is DEFINITELY gonna make Pats nation happy!!!

TMZ Sports: "Are we going to keep Tom in New England, Bob?!?"

Kraft: "We plan to!"

BOOOOOOOM!!!

Aaron Hernandez killed himself largely because he was suffering from CTE -- and NOT because he was agonizing over his sexuality ... so says his famous attorney.

Jose Baez -- who repped Aaron and helped him beat a double murder case -- tells TMZ ... the new documentary about his client implies Aaron was in the closet, and might have even taken his life because of that alleged secret.

That's just not the case, though, according to Baez ... who says Aaron's death was triggered by advanced CTE -- a brain disease the tight end had developed since his youth. Baez insists Aaron's sexual orientation played ZERO part in his fate.

You'll recall ... Baez was intent on getting Aaron's brain studied at Boston University, and even accused the Worcester Medical Examiner of holding onto it illegally. He also downplayed rumors his client had a love affair with a fellow inmate.

Could Tom Brady REALLY have played his last down in New England??

TMZ Sports went straight to one of TB12's best Patriots buddies, Willie McGinest, to get the answer ... and he told us it wouldn't shock him!!

"There's a lot of us that played for the Patriots that became free agents or were traded or left the organization," Willie said. "At some point, you either retire or move on."

Translation: TIME TO PANIC, NEW ENGLAND!!

Of course, Willie left the door open for the possibility that Tom could return as well ... saying everything will hinge on a season-ending meeting between the G.O.A.T. and the Pats' brass.

If it is the end of the New England road for Brady ... McGinest says he could see the guy fitting in with the Chargers next season, telling us, "It's a good football team."

"The business side of it too [for the Chargers], you gotta sell jerseys, you gotta fill up seats, you got a new stadium you're moving into -- I wouldn't count anything out."

Antonio Brown and Logan Paul are in serious negotiations with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing to put on a fight in April ... and both guys are dead set on making it happen.

With Brown still not under contract with an NFL team -- and Paul looking for another high-profile fight after the KSI rematch -- we're told both sides have talked and are set to get a deal done.

Nothing is in stone yet ... but it's moving in that direction.

In fact, AB has already hired a world-class boxing trainer and started training camp, this according to reporter Manouk Akopyan.

The man running Brown's training program is Eromosele Albert, a 2-time Olympian from Nigeria who racked up a 24-6-1 record as a pro.

"Antonio Brown just started boxing and we just started training together," Albert told Akopyan ... "Yes, he is serious about the fight."

"We’re starting a training camp now. He’s a natural. He’s an athlete. It’s not a big transition. He’s going to catch-up really quick."

"He needs a lot of work to get done, to correct all of his mistakes. We have three months to get ready for the fight. That’s enough time. He’s in shape already. We just have to work on his technique, head movement and defense -- and that should be it for him to be ready."

As for Paul, he told us he's ready to go ... and he's VERY confident he can win.

Antonio Gates says he's ALL about the possibility of Tom Brady coming to the Chargers -- telling TMZ Sports, "If he does, I'll be one of his biggest supporters."

"I heard that he might come out here and bless us with his presence," Gates told us on the way out of Bootsy Bellows nightclub in West Hollywood.

"... and if he does that, that would be a great sight to see in L.A."

Interesting comments from Gates who spent his entire career with the Bolts catching passes from Philip Rivers, who's about to become a free agent when the 2019 NFL season officially ends.

Don't get it twisted, Gates didn't say anything negative about Rivers -- but it's clear that Antonio wants his former team to jump on the chance to sign Brady if the opportunity presents itself.

"If [Brady] comes here, I'm gonna be a big fan."

Of course, Gates made headlines of his own this week when he announced his retirement from pro football after 16 seasons in the NFL.

Gates was an 8-time Pro-Bowl tight end, 5-time All Pro and owns the record for most career TDs for a tight end with 116.

What's more impressive ... Gates was an undrafted free agent out of Kent State, where he was a college basketball player. He didn't play a single snap of college football.

Even Tom Brady ain't above busting Julian Edelman's balls when it comes to his allegedly drunken car smashing arrest ...

The New England Patriots QB cracked a little joke at the WR's expense on social media Tuesday ... flashing a bottle of his TB12 Electrolytes with the caption, "[Edelman] it sounds like you need some of this."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Brady's favorite target (and last year's Super Bowl MVP) was arrested for vandalism Saturday night in Beverly Hills after cops say he jumped on the hood of a Mercedes-Benz.

Our law enforcement sources tell us it appeared as if Edelman had been drinking before the incident. He was partying with ex-Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce and former New England Patriots teammate Danny Amendola earlier in the night. The group had been hanging out at Cantina Frida while the Ravens were losing to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional playoff game.

Big win for Patriots safety Patrick Chung ... the New England DB just cut a deal in his cocaine case -- and he will NOT have to go to jail despite a felony drug charge.

Court officials tell TMZ Sports Chung and prosecutors made an agreement Monday in which Chung's charge will be dropped if he meets several requirements.

Officials say Chung's got to keep his nose clean for 2 years, submit to random periodic drug testing and complete 40 hours of community service.

It's a sweet deal for the 32-year-old New England defensive back ... because he was facing up to 7 YEARS behind bars for the charge.

As we previously reported, Chung was busted back on June 25 after cops in New Hampshire say they discovered drugs in the Patriots player's possession.

Chung initially pled not guilty to the charge at a court hearing in August.

As for why prosecutors cut the deal ... they said in statement there were numerous factors that led to the agreement.

Prosecutors say Chung had no prior criminal record, he was fully cooperative with police, the amount of drugs they allegedly found on Chung were "small" ... and they also say Chung passed a substance abuse evaluation.

Chung is still subject to NFL discipline based on the league's personal conduct policy.

"That's what happens when you feel like you're on top of the world!"

That's Terrell Owens weighing in on Julian Edelman's arrest in Beverly Hills over the weekend -- telling TMZ Sports the Patriots WR clearly feels untouchable.

We broke the story, Edelman was arrested Saturday night for misdemeanor vandalism after cops say he jumped on the hood of a Mercedes-Benz during a night out with Paul Pierce and Danny Amendola.

Owens, who knows exactly what it's like to be a top-flight NFL star, didn't seem too shocked by Edelman's alleged actions ... saying, "That's Julian Edelman being Julian Edelman."

Edelman was scheduled to appear and participate in the California Strong Celebrity Softball Game at Pepperdine University on Sunday ... but never showed up. It's pretty obvious why.

But, a TON of stars did attend the event -- including Owens -- to help raise money for people affected by the wildfires and the mass shootings in Southern California.

"We’ve been rewarded with something that the scoreboard won’t show -- the satisfaction of knowing we gave everything to each other in pursuit of a common goal."

That's Tom Brady trying to sugarcoat one of the most disappointing seasons in recent Patriots memory -- saying the bond with his teammates is helping to make up for the lack of a Super Bowl ring.

TB12 just penned a sappy end-of-the-season letter to his teammates and fans ... thanking everyone for supporting him over "the past two decades."

Don't worry, it doesn't read like a goodbye note ... but it doesn't read like an "I'm Definitely Coming Back" note either.

Here's the message in full ...

"I just wanted to say to all of our fans, THANK YOU! After a few days of reflection, I am so grateful and humbled by the unconditional support you have shown me the past two decades."

"Running out of that tunnel every week is a feeling that is hard to explain. I wish every season ended in a win, but that’s not the nature of sports (or life). Nobody plays to lose. But the reward for working hard is just that, the work!!"

"I have been blessed to find a career I love, teammates who go to battle with me, an organization that believes in me, and fans who have been behind us every step of the way."

"Every one of us that works at Gillette Stadium strived to do their best, spent themselves at a worthy cause, and prepared to fail while daring greatly (h/t Teddy Roosevelt). And for that, we’ve been rewarded with something that the scoreboard won’t show - the satisfaction of knowing we gave everything to each other in pursuit of a common goal. That is what TEAM is all about."

"In both life and football, failure is inevitable. You dont always win. You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again."

"And that’s right where you will find me. Because I know I still have more to prove."