Kraft: Rob Gronkowski’s Status ‘Not Even An Issue’ For Him
Robert Kraft said in a new interview that there are no issues on either side as it pertains to Tom Brady’s contract. The Patriots owner doesn’t sound concerned about his tight end, either.
Speaking to Jeff Howe of The Athletic in the second of a two-part series, Kraft spoke confidently about the status of Rob Gronkowski for the 2018 season. Rumors of retirement from football, and news of new career paths, have swirled around Gronk ever since the aftermath of Super Bowl LII, when the tight end said he would spend time thinking about his future.
“It’s not even an issue for me,” Kraft said of Gronkowski. “I didn’t know about it until I read about it in the paper. I saw him [recently at Gillette Stadium]. We have a fun, good relationship. He is one of the most up people I know. I was impressed that he was coming in late and doing whatever he had to do to make himself feel right and get his body right.”
Robert Kraft talks with Rob Gronkowski and his brother Gordie prior to the start of a 2016 playoff game between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. (Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
Kraft believes Gronkowski may have just been reacting emotionally after the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, which had concluded just minutes prior to his eyebrow-raising comments about his future.
“I think [Gronkowski] is the best tight end in the game, maybe in the history of the game, so we’re privileged to have a quarterback and tight end in those positions,” Kraft said. “I do believe, though, people feel differently [after a loss]. That was a tough loss. We’ll let things sort out and see what happens.”
More: Tension With Belichick And Gronk
Kraft also spoke about his desire for “continuity” within the Patriots organization and the prospects of drafting the team’s next starting quarterback as soon as this year.
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