Rob Gronkowski Announces He Met With Bill Belichick, Committed To Playing In 2018

Rob Gronkowski announced in a new Instagram post on Tuesday that he met with Bill Belichick and told the head coach he’s committed to playing for the Patriots in 2018.

"I met with coach today and informed him I will be back for the 2018 season with the Pats," the post reads. "I have been working out, staying in shape and feel great. Looking forward to another championship run."

ESPN's Adam Schefter followed up Gronk's post with a tweet reporting that Gronkowski officially won't be traded. He added that Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told him that the meeting between his client and Belichick was "very positive" and that Gronkowski is "committed" to the 2018 season.

Gronkowski said as recently as last Saturday that he doesn't plan on attending any upcoming Patriots offseason workouts, saying at a press conference for a Monster Energy motocross event that he's "got dirt biking skills to work out." An earlier report by Jeff Howe of The Athletic indicated that Gronkowski's planned holdout is strictly because he wants a new contract.

It's unclear if Gronkowski still plans on sitting out OTAs, or whether a new deal between the Patriots and the All-Pro tight end is imminent. He earned $10.75 million last season after maximizing the incentives in his contract, becoming the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

Gronkowski's announcement comes on the heels of a confirmation from Tom Brady's agent, Don Yee, that the quarterback is also committed to playing in 2018. Both reports come just in time for the Patriots at the 2018 NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas.

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