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.
Tom Brady would be livid
Oh, if you think the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady relationship is strained now, imagine if the Hoodie pulled off that kind of trade.
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Sure, Brady has seen some of his favorite targets leave over the past 18 seasons, but at 40 years old, the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback doesn’t seem so forgiving. Who would blame him?
The NFL world has witnessed how dominating Brady and Gronkowski are on the field when both are healthy and fueling on the same page. No matter how shrewd Belichick has been or pretends to be, breaking up that kind of dominance would have some questioning his football mind.
As Belichikian as it would be for him to made that sort of trade, it is just as Belichickian for him not to make a deal that would put another Super Bowl run in jeopardy. It wouldn’t be due to the absence of Rob Gronkowski, but Brady not locked in and commitment would be the results.
With no great backup at either position who could step in and become the next guy, Belichick’s hands are tied…at least for this season.
If a Troy Niklas or Jacob Hollister emerges and become a factor in the passing game during the season, then a trade may come out of nowhere. But, that would depend on how Rob Gronkowski looks physically and mentally on the field.
No Julian Edelman
The New England Patriots have proved in the last two Super Bowl runs that they need either Julian Edelman or Rob Gronkowski on the field. When they are both healthy, the offense is basically unstoppable.
When neither is available, the offense looks anemic. With uncertainly at both the wide receiver and tight end position behind Edelman and Gronkowski, I really can’t see Belichick deciding to go into the 2018 season without both unless the return for Gronk was another top offensive weapon.
The fact that Edelman will miss the first four weeks while serving a suspension makes Rob Gronkowski untouchable.
Even if he was not serving a suspension, Julian Edelman needs time to get back on tract following ACL surgery. Gronkowski on the field allows him to work his way back slowly and gives Brady an outlet he can trust.
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While anything is always possible when it comes to Bill Belichick, dealing Rob Gronkowski right now seems impossible. If he does, the New England Patriots dynasty that every other NFL team fanbase is rooting to crumble might just begin to collapse in a major way.