The NFL released the New England Patriots 2021 schedule this week, so we now know for sure when Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will be making their return to their old stomping grounds of Gillette Stadium. The Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on our Pats on October 3rd, in a Sunday night prime time matchup. This will be a historic game, and if you want to watch it in person, you better be ready to break the bank.
This is not good. Patriot players are due this week in Foxborough to get their COVID-19 tests and start practicing. But already, it sounds like SIX Patriots have said, "no, thank you,' and are opting out of playing for the season. Presumably because of the threat of getting the disease. Two of these Pats players are big-time stars and starters. Yup, Patrick Chung, and Dont'a Hightower are out.