Gronk sends Patriots clear message by leaving money on the table

By Joe Setyon April 15, 2018 at 3:15pm

It could be nothing, or it could be a telling indication of things to come.

ESPN‘s Adam Schefter reported that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski won’t be present Monday as New England begins its offseason workout program.

Like Patriots’ QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski will not attend the start of New England’s off-season program Monday, per source.

Gronkowski still is considering whether to play the upcoming 2018 season, and has had “good communication” with the Patriots, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 15, 2018

The program is voluntary, so take this news with a grain of salt.

What is notable, per Schefter, is that “Gronkowski has a $250,000 workout bonus in his contract for 2018, which is paid out based on attending a percentage of the voluntary workouts.”

In other words, the Patriots superstar, generally known as a very frugal person, is apparently leaving money on the table by not attending the workout program.

For several months know, Patriots fans have waited with baited breath to hear Gronkowski reveal whether or not he’ll play in the upcoming season.

He’s been noncommittal thus far, but has reportedly had “good communication” with the Patriots, according to Schefter.

Regardless, by skipping the voluntary workout program, Gronkowski seems to be sending the Patriots a message — it’s just not clear what exactly that message is.

“It’s unclear whether Gronkowski is angling for more money or a trade,” wrote NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio. “It’s possible he’s simply thinking about moving on after eight seasons and plenty of injuries and surgeries.”

Of course, this could all turn out to be nothing.

Gronkowski isn’t the only high-profile Patriots player to miss the offseason program — star quarterback Tom Brady is skipping it as well.

Do you think Gronk will play for the Patriots in 2018?

Last week, head coach Bill Belichick tried to downplay the fact that some players won’t be in attendance.

“We have the voluntary offseason program that starts on Monday,” Belichick said. “It will be heavily attended, but I know there are a couple players that I’ve talked to that have other commitments, but that’s the way it always is. So, not really anything new there.”

And though we can’t know for sure what Gronkowski’s angle is here, Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently said he believes the tight end will return.

“It’s not even an issue for me,” Kraft told The Athletic‘s Jeff Howe. “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.”

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Joe Setyon

Deputy Managing Editor, Editorial

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Joe Setyon was a deputy managing editor for The Western Journal who had spent his entire professional career in editing and reporting. He previously worked in Washington, D.C., as an assistant editor/reporter for Reason magazine.

@JoeSetyon

Joe Setyon was deputy managing editor for The Western Journal with several years of copy editing and reporting experience. He graduated with a degree in communication studies from Grove City College, where he served as managing editor of the student-run newspaper. Joe previously worked as an assistant editor/reporter for Reason magazine, a libertarian publication in Washington, D.C., where he covered politics and wrote about government waste and abuse.

Birthplace

Brooklyn, New York

Topics of Expertise

Sports, Politics