There is no need for the Patriots fans’ to fear now as Rob Gronkowski, after missing the start of offseason workouts while mulling retirement, will be turning back to the team. The all-pro tight end announced this via his Instagram handle on Tuesday.
Gronkowski will return to the Patriots in 2018 for the ninth season. He wrote on the Instagram post, “I met with coach today and informed him I would be back for the 2018 season with the Pats. I have been working out, staying in shape and feel great. Looking forward to another championship run.”
Adam Schefter from ESPN Network reported that there would be no Gronkowski trade this season. Moreover, Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter that “the meeting was very positive and Rob is committed.”
The announcement comes in a day after Don Yee, Tom Brady’s agent told ESPN that he expected Patriots quarterback to play in this season, quelling his retirement speculation. On Monday, Yee said, “Tom’s intentions have not changed. He’s consistently said he’ll play beyond this contract and into his mid-40s, or until he feels he isn’t playing at a championship level.”
On Saturday, Gronkowski appeared at the Gillette Stadium, the Patriots’ home field, and appeared to be pulling a troll job of sorts on the team. Telling that he had “dirt-biking skills to work on,” Gronkowski added fuel to the fire by saying to the reporters present at the stadium that he would not be attending the team’s workouts.
Even though Gronkowski is not 30 years old year, his body has been ravaged by several injuries which now include a late-season concussion on top of multiple surgeries to his back, forearm, and knee. It is quite natural that he will take time to take in the positive and the negatives of another season, absorbing blows from other players.
