Patriots Notes: Trey Flowers, Josh Gordon, Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady

Trey Flowers

Regarding his impending free agency, Patriots DE Trey Flowers‘ said he’s confident the situation will “take care of itself.”

“I know that’s going to take care of itself. I can’t do nothing about that right now. The only thing I can do is with my play now, my preparation now,” said Flowers, via Michael Giardi.

When asked if he believes he has earned a lucrative contract this offseason, Flowers responded: “I hope so…”

“I hope so but for now, I’m just gonna put my all into this (Super Bowl),” added Flowers, via Michael Giardi.

Josh Gordon

Regarding Patriots WR Josh Gordon, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he has not spoken to Gordon since he was suspended but they haven’t closed the door on him possibly returning at some point.

“Directly, I have not spoken to (Gordon) since his last suspension,” Goodell said, via Doug Kyed of NESN.com. “He’s a young man who’s had a lot of challenges. I have gotten to know him. I understand the struggles and challenges he’s had to go through. He is working at it. He understands what he has to do. He understands the importance for him. And this is well beyond football. This is for his life — to make sure he takes care of himself and understands the importance of getting this issue under control and being able to live a healthy and long life.”

Goodell added that the NFL will evaluate Gordon “at the right time,” meaning it is possible the receiver could play again at some point in the future. 

“If he can, we’ll evaluate that at the right time. But right now, the focus is on what we can do to help Josh get to that place.”

Rob Gronkowski

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has said he plans to take a few weeks after the season to mull over his future. 

On Wednesday, Gronkowski explained how much of a grind it has been for him.

“The season is a grind. It’s up and down. I’m not going to lie and sit here and say every week is the best. Not at all. You go up. You go down. You can take some serious hits,” Gronkowski said, via ESPN.com. “Try to imagine getting hit all the time and trying to be where you want to be every day in life. It’s tough. It’s difficult. To take hits to the thigh, to take hits to your head, abusing your body, isn’t what your brain wants. When your body is abused, it can bring down your mood. You have to be able to deal with that, too, throughout the season. You have to be able to deal with that going into games.”

• Gronkowski would not comment on whether he intends to retire this offseason: “Yes, no, maybe so.” (Doug Kyed)

Tom Brady

Patriots QB Tom Brady said few outside of owner Robert Kraft and himself believed he would be able continuing playing at the level he has for this long.

“The reality is I don’t think many people thought I’d be playing like this, even though I had a great belief I would. I think RKK (Robert Kraft) has always supported me in my beliefs and thoughts, that’s why we have a great relationship,” said Brady, per Mike Reiss.

Patriots

• Patriots HC Bill Belichick said DT Malcom Brown (calf) was limited on Wednesday but was able to participate in the early portion of practice: “He did some stuff early in practice today. Everyone else was good to go.” (Jim McBride)