It's being widely assumed that Adalius Thomas will not be with the New England Patriots for the start of the 2010 season. Previous rumors had linked him with the Seattle Seahawks, but the prevailing thought for the past few weeks was that the New York Jets -- and his old coach, Rex Ryan -- might make the most sense.

Ryan can't publicly comment on Thomas thanks to the league's occasionally-enforced tampering rules, but Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reported on an email the paper received from Thomas on Monday night. In it, Thomas denied that he ever told Bart Scott he wanted to play for Ryan and the Jets (cue Elton John), indicated that he wasn't at the team's voluntary workout session because he didn't know it started on Monday and that he's "a Patriot until otherwise noted from Bill (Belichick) or the organization." That last part might change quickly based on the second part.

While an outright cut is possible, so is a trade, and that'd be the better option for the Pats. Here's ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss on the timing of that situation:

Mike Reiss

Won't happen until near the draft

"I think the Patriots will try to trade Thomas and that could mean they hold on to him until the draft, when trades are prevalent. If that doesn't happen, then I think he gets released. I don't see Thomas back with the Patriots next year."

Jason Paradise

Time for a Pats-Thomas divorce

"It seems clear that it is in the best interest of both Adalius Thomas and the New England Patriots to part ways this offseason. The Patriots don't seem interested in giving him the same free rein as other 3-4 outside linebackers in rushing the passer, and the numbers suggest they're making the right decision."