Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gives his answer during a conference call with the media on Monday morning.

 Does Patriots head coach Bill Belichick intend to be back with the Patriots in 2018?

 "Absolutely."

 That was Belichick's one-word response when that question was asked of him during a conference call on Monday morning.

 The question, of course, comes in the aftermath of an ESPN.com report that there is strife at the top of the Patriots franchise among the triumvirate of owner Robert Kraft, Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.

  Belichick said he has not read the story.

  The Patriots have reported back to work at Gillette Stadium with Saturday night's AFC divisional-round playoff game with the Tennessee Titans in Foxboro next on their agenda.