What to make of news Brady, Gronkowski will not be present for start of voluntary workouts

So it sounds like Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski won’t be present for the start of the offseason workout program on Monday in Foxborough.

Brady was pretty much a given — with his recent trip to Qatar in conjunction with Best Buddies, it’s no surprise. As has been the case all offseason, the bigger mystery here is what’s up with Gronkowski.


Ever since his surprisingly noncommittal statement about playing in 2018 just after the Super Bowl loss, the big tight end has spent the last couple of months sending out cryptic messages (maybe about his future?) via social media. His agent Drew Rosenhaus has also been coy about Gronkowski’s plans for 2018, telling our Greg Bedard last month that he didn’t have an update about Gronkowski’s status for next season.

Three things to factor in here:

One, we’re not talking about installing the final game plan before the Super Bowl. Phase One of the program, which gets underway on Monday, consists of the first two weeks where activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. For a guy who has been banged up as much as he has over the years, maybe this is a maintenance move.

Two, there have been people who have missed it before. As an example, linebacker Brandon Spikes skipped it in 2013. (For what it’s worth, that season was his last with the team.) Brady wasn’t there for the first day last year. Again, these sessions are voluntary.

And three, it’s important to note that last Friday, Belichick went out of his way to let people know that there are some anticipated absences, saying that he’s talked some of those who have other engagements.

“We have the voluntary offseason program that starts on Monday,” said the coach as part of his introductory statement. “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 the possibility does exist that Gronkowski has already been granted permission to miss the session. Given the back-and-forth that’s taken place this offseason, it’s probably not likely. But it certainly adds another layer to the discussion.

Ultimately, it’s important to note that again, these workouts are voluntary. And yes, all of this will be forgotten if Gronkowski strolls into spring workouts without a blink and has a 90-catch season. But in an offseason that’s been chock full of intrigue when it comes to the future of the tight end, the news he won’t be there on Monday feels the latest chapter in an offseason story that still has a ways to go.