New England Patriots: 3 reasons Bill Belichick won’t trade Rob Gronkowski

With training camp right around the corner, rumors are surfacing again about a possible trade involving New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.

First, let me preface this by saying:  Rob Gronkowski will wear a New England Patriots jersey in 2018.

Beyond that, who knows.  But, there is absolutely no way Bill Belichick is trading the team’s best offensive weapon prior to this season.  After reports surfaced that the team was shopping Gronkowski prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, idea of the All-Pro tight in playing in another uniform became a very nauseous thought.

It was also a wakeup call to Patriots fans and Gronkowski himself that Belichick is not playing around.  It also explained why No. 87 went from thoughts of retirement to suddenly becoming locked in with the team.

So, if a trade was going to happen, it would’ve happened back then.  But, the fact that the Patriots have not restructured Gronkowski’s contract have some AFC executivies believing that Belichick is still willing to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade involving the big tight end.

According to a new report by Greg Bedard of BostonSportsJournal.com, the tug-o-war between the stoic New England Patriots head coach and the “super excited” tight end is ongoing and can result in Tom Brady’s top weapon playing elsewhere.

"“Where’s the restructure of his contract?” An unnamed AFC executive told Bedard, via NESN.  “Until that’s done, I think he’s still available.  I wouldn’t be surprised if [Bill] Belichick is going to test Gronk’s buy-in with the contract.”"

That’s exactly one of three reasons I believe Bill Belichick will not trade Rob Gronkowski.

A man full of surprises

When in the “In Bill We Trust” era has he ever done what people thought he was going to do?

When Bill Belichick trades a star, we never see it coming.  That’s why I believe if it would’ve happened, it would’ve been prior to the 2018 NFL Draft.

With Gronkowski still on the fence as far as his commitment to the game (or playing games for more money), the Patriots had the opportunity to draft one of the top prospects at the tight end position as a replacement for Gronk.

Now, that wouldn’t matter if the Patriots had a tight end ready to step up and fill Gronk’s shoes, but they don’t.  Therefore, I don’t believe Belichick makes that kind of move without a Plan B at the tight end position.

In fact, the trade of Brandin Cooks was enough to support that Rob Gronkowski is in the team’s future plans.