New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski still dominating headlines in 2019

Rob Gronkowski is retired, but the former New England Patriots tight end is still having an impact in 2019 with rumors surrounding his possible return.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has kept the door open for a Rob Gronkowski return in 2019. Although the great tight end says he is staying retired, the possibility just won’t die…at least until Nov. 30.

While some Patriots fans are rolling their eyes as other fans exude with excitement over the possibility, the fact is the team could’ve put these Gronkowski returning rumors to rest by either drafting a tight end high in the draft or trading for one by the NFL Trade Deadline.

One never knows what Bill Belichick has on his mind during the draft, but if rumors or true, the team did try to acquire O.J. Howard from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. How heavy they pursued that potential deal will probably be leaked somewhere in the offseason.

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They were also rumored to have been in the mix for Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert, but the asking price may have been too high for an injury prone player who would have to get accustomed to how Tom Brady likes things done.

So, while there is hope either Ben Watson, Matt LaCosse and/or second-year tight end Ryan Izzo can emerge in the blocking and passing game, there is greater hope the tight end position will be solved with Rob Gronkowski gaining an itch to play again now that the season is approaching the stretch run.

With a new report surfacing that Kraft in fact told Gronk he wanted him back for this time in the season, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady pretty much shot that down during his weekly appearance on The Greg Hill Show.

"“I am really good friends with Gronk. We have had a great relationship for 10 years,” Brady said, as transcribed by WEEI. “Just because things are reported doesn’t necessarily mean they are always true, just for the record. …I don’t know. Those are conversations I am not privy to.”"

Brady went on to say that the team has to move forward as currently built. But there is no doubt the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback will welcome the future Hall-of-Fame tight end back with open arms.

The two have teased fans constantly through social media in past weeks, awaking the same rumors that appeared to have died down. In fact, the more Rob Gronkowski is visible over the next few weeks, the more speculation will swirl.

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If you are a Patriots fans that don’t want to get his/her hopes up, it may not end until after Nov. 30 when Tom Brady is or isn’t throwing the ball to his big target once again. As of Week 11, the New England Patriots have to continue to game plan without him.

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