Report: 'Expectation is' Rob Gronkowski will be back in 2018

A positive note for the Patriots in the Rob Gronkowski saga.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Wednesday afternoon that after pondering his future, the tight end is expected to return for the 2018 season. Per Rapoport, Gronkowski did “ponder” retirement, but the understanding that those off-field entertainment pursuits — WWE, movies, etc. — will be there when his football career is done.

So what does this mean for New England?



If Gronkowski's decision holds between now and the start of the offseason program and into training camp -- it's always possible that something could make him change his mind between now and then -- it's a big win for the Patriots, who will now be business as usual at the tight end position going into next season. (Now, it could mean more attention on Martellus Bennett and Dwayne Allen, neither of whom will be playing in New England in 2018 at their current rate.)

As for Gronkowski and his health, no one is saying he's going to be the next Tony Gonzalez and play until the age of 40. But even with the undeniable physical toll the game has taken on his body -- it's not a surprise he has at least pondered retirement, at least according to Tom E. Curran -- it still would have been a surprise to see him walk away at the age of 28.

Since the start of the offseason, both Greg and I have maintained this gambit was always more about dollars than anything. With that in mind, it'll be interesting to hear if the big tight end ends up re-doing his deal. (In the context of that conversation, it is interesting to note that despite his reputation, Gronkowski's agent Drew Rosenhaus has always had a good working relationship with the Patriots. That could be put to the test this time around.)