Price: After an eventful offseason, early signs pointing to a potential MVP-type 2018 for Rob Gronkowski

FOXBOROUGH — For Rob Gronkowski, the stars are aligning.

There’s his health, which he says is “100 times better” now than it was at this point last year. There’s the chance to prove to the Patriots that the meter is running on his current contract. And there’s the simple truth that when it comes to the New England passing game this season — at least the first four games — he will be more vital to the success of the Patriots than ever.

What does it all mean for the big tight end? Look, the expectations for Gronkowski are almost always off the charts to the point where it’s unfair. If he doesn't catch 70 balls a year, it's a disappointment. But right now, after an interesting offseason, it certainly looks like the stage is set for him to have the best year of his career, the sort of season that puts him smack in the middle of the MVP conversation, goes down as one of the best in the history of the game when it comes to tight ends, and has us all talking about him the same way we talked about Randy Moss and his transcendent 2007.

Why do we think so? Let’s count the ways.


1. Healthwise, he’s as close to 100 percent as he’s been in a long time.

Because of his history, every conversation about the expectations around Gronkowski comes with the disclaimer “If he can stay healthy….” But whether you want to chalk it up to him living that TB12 life or something else, he’s had an extraordinary run of good health as of late.

Maybe it’s the Alex Guerrero influence. Maybe his recent injury-free streak is karma after all the health issues he lived through earlier in his career. Or maybe he’s just fresh as lettuce after not going through the voluntary workouts in the spring. Whatever the case may be, it was notable he didn’t miss a training camp workout (he did have a lighter load, but that was a coach's decision). For someone who has had a checkered injury history like Gronkowski, the clean start this summer bodes well for the rest of the year.

“I feel good right now — I definitely feel, like, 100 times better than I did last year during training camp,” he said on Tuesday afternoon. “When you’re feeling good, you love playing the game.”

Setting aside the fact his statements seemed about a million miles away from what he said in the moments after the Super Bowl, its clear Gronkowski has learned the art of body maintenance. Whether it’s because of his work with Guerrero or simply the lessons he learned from playing such a punishing position, he’s smarter now than he was years ago. Maybe that’s why he did issue a cautious note, saying “it’s a long season,” and you have to be mindful, especially at the ripe old age of 29.

“There’s times I remember when I was back (in my) rookie year, second year, you would just practice, go to meetings and you would do absolutely nothing,” he said. “But as you get older – and I got to say — you got to be on top of the game. You’ve got to be on top of your body in order to be going every day.”

Bottom line? A smarter Gronk means a healthier and more productive Gronk.