ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported shortly after Tuesday’s surprising Brandin Cooks trade that the New England Patriots had no intention of also dealing Rob Gronkowski.
The following morning, Schefter expanded on that report, saying on WEEI’s “Kirk & Callahan” that trading Gronkowski never has been in the Patriots’ plans despite the uncertainty surrounding the All-Pro tight end’s future.
“I don’t think he was ever getting moved during the offseason,” Schefter said. “I don’t think that was ever a viable option for that team. Now, maybe at one point in time, somebody considered something. That’s possible. I don’t know about that.
“But, as I have checked into it and as it has been explained to me from various people from various sides, I don’t sense anything that would tell me Rob Gronkowski is or ever was being traded. Look, we all know, you never rule out anything in this business, anything is possible. I never got a sense that that was a viable option.”
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo also reported New England had not engaged in any trade talks involving Gronkowski.
Gronkowski, who has two years remaining on his contract, has yet to confirm he will play in 2018, but he is expected to, according to multiple reports.
“I can’t (say with certainty Gronkowski will play) because I don’t know,” Schefter said on “K&C.” “I haven’t spoken to him to give you an authoritative answer to say to you he’s coming back (or) he’s not coming back. I think the sense is and the signs have pointed to him coming back. It’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t come back, but I haven’t heard that from him, so I cannot tell you that for sure.”
Gronkowski led the Patriots in catches (69), receiving yards (1,084) and receiving touchdowns (eight) last season despite missing two games, narrowly edging Cooks (65, 1,082, seven) in each category. The Patriots traded Cooks and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams, receiving 2018 first (No. 23 overall) and a 2018Â sixth in return.
