PHOENIX — The rallying cry for the New England Patriots all season, every season in fact, has been to move on to the next opponent, be it Cincinnati or Seattle.

But after winning their fourth title since 2001 by beating the Seahawks 28-24 in one of the most exciting finishes in the Super Bowl’s 49-year history, nobody seemed to want to talk about what’s next.

“Things couldn’t be better right now,” said left guard Dan Connolly. “I’m going to celebrate with my family, celebrate with my teammates and we’re going to enjoy this for a long time.”

Even in his final press conference on Monday, Coach Bill Belichick spoke at length about the team’s character, but nothing about its future.

This is a team that is certainly built for sustained success. According to Sport’s Illustrated’s Greg Bedard, the Patriots are the youngest (average age of 25.2 years) Super-Bowl winning team in history. That puts them in position for more championships.

But first the Patriots have to solve some issues.

They have 12 unrestricted free agents on their roster, the biggest names being safety Devin McCourty, kicker Stephen Gostkowski, Connolly and running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.

In addition, they face the question of what to do with Darrelle Revis. He signed as a free agent with New England last summer and quickly lived up to his reputation as one of the best cornerbacks in the game, every bit as valuable to this team as Tom Brady.

But Revis’ contract would be prohibitive next year, paying him $20 million with a $25 million salary cap hit. There have been reports that Revis and the Patriots are trying to work out a new deal. If they can’t, expect New England to release him before the second year of his contract goes into effect, and then try to re-sign him.

After the victory Sunday night, Revis told reporters he would welcome a return to New England. “This is why I came to New England, to win a Super Bowl,” Revis said. “It feels great.”

And that’s what the other teams lack when it comes to courting Revis – the ability to immediately contend for a championship.

McCourty, meanwhile, also told reporters that he wants to return. Originally a cornerback, he switched to free safety and has become one of the best in the league.

He was asked about possibly leaving the Patriots and told Tom Curran of Comcast SportsNet, “I hope not. We’ll see but I hope not … There’s not much a player can ask for except for being at home. And this is home.”

Given that LeGarrette Blount is back for at least one more year, it’s possible the Patriots will let Ridley walk. Vereen may have earned another contract with his 11-catch performance in the Super Bowl.

And there’s Gostkowski, the greatest kicker in franchise history and as great a lock as there is for a kicker in the NFL today. It’s probable the Patriots will work to bring him back.

Otherwise, this is a team that still needs a running back and an offensive lineman to take the pressure off a quarterback who turns 38 next Aug. 3 and has no plan to stop playing soon.

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