According to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has been a regular at the team’s facility since the Super Bowl, despite talk that he could retire this offseason.
Reiss admits that Gronkowski may be visiting Gillette Stadium simply for treatment of his thigh. However, Reiss believes this is also a reflection of his being in a good place with how the season ended.
Reports mentioned that the two factors that are expected to influence Gronkowski’s decision are whether he’s healthy and if Tom Brady officially returns for the 2019 season.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported leading up to the Super Bowl that Gronkowski was healthier now than he was at almost any other point this season and feels 100 percent after battling injuries for most of the season.
Sources tell Rapoport that Gronkowski was dealing with Achilles tendonitis and a bulging disc in his back this season, which likely impacted his production and ability.
Rapoport added that it took Gronkowski until Week 15 for him to be removed from the injury.
Gronkowski, 29, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2010. He is in the sixth year of his eight-year, $55.23 million contract that included $13.17 million guaranteed.
In 2018, Gronkowski appeared in 13 games for the Patriots and recorded 47 receptions for 682 yards receiving (14.5 YPC) and scored three touchdowns.
We’ll have more regarding Gronkowski as the news is available.
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Gronkster is not retiring anytime soon, so get over it. The Gronkster has been to 5 SBs since he came into the league in 2010, winning 3. And the Pats have been to the last three consecutive SBs winning 2. With all the winning going on in Patsboro, the Gronkster, Brady and Edelman will be wreaking havoc in the NFL together for at least 3 more seasons. Couple that with a load of draft picks in the top 100 in the 2019 Draft and 1st rounder OL Isaiah Wynn’s return. Things are looking better then ever.
The Gronkster is just a little cranky because of his way under valued contract. So! More is made out of it then it should be. Did anyone take notice of the Gronkster’s blocking this season, especially in the playoffs? Coupled with the big catches in the AFC CG and the SB. That kind of individual play does NOT look like the play of someone that is ready to “hang’em up” anytime soon.
So! For the forseeable future it’s basically the Pats representing the AFC vs. whichever team steps up in the NFC. You can BET on it.