New England Patriots: The only Rob Gronkowski replacement is Gronk
Retired New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski put an end to any comeback talk for the 2019 NFL season, but did he really?
The New England Patriots are stuck in a tight end bind with the retirement of Rob Gronkowski over 70 days ago. With the release of Austin-Seferian Jenkins and Benjamin Watson serving a four-game suspension to start the 2019 NFL season, the team seems suddenly unlucky at the position.
Unless someone unexpectedly emerges as a pass-catching threat somewhere between minicamp and the start of the season, rumors about Gronkowski possibly returning at some point during the season will continue to swirl.
Yes, despite the All-Pro tight end putting those rumors to rest just days ago during the One Mission Buzz off for Kids at Gillette Stadium.
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"“Whatever I say it doesn’t matter. It’ll always be crazy out there. You can put ‘em to rest.” Gronk said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “I’m feeling good. [I’m in] a good place.”"
Rob Gronkowski is absolutely right. It doesn’t matter what he says right now because it is only June and it’s easy to stay retired when mandatory minicamp has just started, something he may or may not have participated in even if he did not retire.
The release of Jenkins only sparks the speculation further because the team appears so nonchalant about addressing the position. Either they are confident in players like Matt LaCosse, Stephen Anderson and/or either Ryan Izzo and Andrew Beck or they do know the possibility of Gronk being the eventual Rob Gronkowski replacement midway through the season is very real.
So, please don’t buy the staying retired mumbo jumbo from Gronkowski during the start of June because he hasn’t been away from the game long enough to miss it. Once he says Tom Brady throwing touchdown passes to Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry, the itch will return.
If that doesn’t happen and Brady and Patriots’ offense struggle, don’t believe for one second that the urge to comeback and help his boys won’t be there. Rob Gronkowski is a competitor, he loves the game and is still young enough to be a force in the game.
The urge will be there
The only drawback is how he feels physically. Retirement feels good right now because he can enjoy everyday life without the aches and pains. But he’ll even miss that too…just ask Jason Witten or even Ben Watson.
light. Related Story. Rob Gronkowski isn’t coming back in 2019
Or…ask former NFL fullback Michael Robinson who knows about retirement. He doesn’t buy Gronk’s commitment to retirement either.
"“I think Gronk doesn’t want to do training camp. That’s why he’s retired right now,” Robinson said on Good Morning Football, via NESN. “I think he’s gonna have an itch to come back in October. I mean, just come in, practice a couple days and go play in the games and get the glory of winning games. Yes, Gronk’s numbers have been down here as of late in the couple of years. But every critical situation they’ve gone to Gronk in the big games and they’re gonna miss him in October.”"
Next. New England Patriots: Ranking team’s tight ends post-Gronk. dark
October is around the time that the New England Patriots will realize not drafting a tight end was a mistake. Unless they trade for Kyle Rudolph or some other top tight end somehow becomes available, they will also realize that the only Rob Gronkowski replacement is Gronk himself…even if it’s just for half a season.
That probably was always the plan.