Report: ‘Zero Truth’ to Rumors of Patriots Trading Rob Gronkowski
Tom E. Curran and others have shot down the rampant Gronk trade rumors.
Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichick walk along the sidelines before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 22, 2016. (Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
(Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Shutting down what was momentarily an unsettling afternoon for Patriots observers, NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran reported on Friday that there is "zero truth" to the growing rumors that the Patriots were on the verge of trading tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Rumors of big news involving the Patriots starting percolating on Reddit, where the same user who reported the impending news of Julian Edelman's likely PED suspension teased "MAJOR news" involving a Patriot signed for multiple years. Later on Friday, Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy tweeted that he was hearing Gronkowski may not be a Patriot by the end of the day.
Rob's brother and former NFL fullback Chris Gronkowski decried the Portnoy tweet as "fake news" just before Curran's report came out defusing the rumors. NBC Sports Boston's Mike Giardi also reported that there's "no truth" to the possibility of the Pats moving on from the tight end.
"El Presidente" took the reports in stride.
Gronkowski is reportedly working with the Patriots to restructure his contract. He admitted he's "trying to" rework his deal and replied "Who wouldn't?" when asked if he wanted to get it done before the season. Gronkowski is signed for 2018 and 2019 for base salaries of $8 million and $9 million, respectively.
The 29-year-old, who has battled a multitude of injuries over the course of his career, also admitted that he contemplated retirement during the offseason before ultimately deciding to re-commit to football for 2018.
"I was just seeing where I was at, at first," Gronkowski told reporters on Tuesday after the first day of Patriots mandatory minicamp. "I mean obviously after long seasons – they're hauling seasons, long-hauling seasons – it definitely was in the mind but I had to do what I had to do. I felt where I felt good enough, get my body prepared, get my body right again, see where my body was at, see where my mind was at and I glad to be back out here. I feel like I definitely made the right decision coming back out."
Gronkowski has 474 receptions for 7,179 yards and 76 touchdowns in 102 career games with the Patriots. He also caught 68 passes for 972 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 career playoff games, including a touchdown reception in their win over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX and nine catches for 116 yards and two scores in Super Bowl LII against the Eagles.
It appears that Gronkowski will go for a fourth appearance in the Super Bowl in a Patriots uniform.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
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