I don't want to do this. I didn't think they would need to do this. But I think it's time ...
The Patriots need to flash a No. 87 spotlight into the sky over Gillette Stadium. Make the call. The Patriots need Rob Gronkowski back in uniform for the close of this season.
READ — Bedard: Rob Gronkowski concludes improbable HOF career – for now (free)
If Gronkowski wants to stay retired, that's fine. He more than deserves to be happy and to live the rest of his life without the pain associated with the National Football League, or the stress that comes from playing for Bill Belichick.
I don't even think the Patriots absolutely need Gronkowski to win another Super Bowl. They're still the favorites in my mind. The defense is still great and could indeed carry this team to a title.
But I can tell you Gronk would make it a lot easier for Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels and this Patriots offense that gets more and more painful to watch with each passing week.
Sure, it might get better without Gronk. How can it not? They'll get left tackle Isaiah Wynn back after the bye. That will definitely help, if he can stay on the field for the first time in his young career. Getting starting tight end Matt LaCosse back from his problematic high ankle sprain (those don't ever get a whole lot better during the season) would give them another viable target — sorry Ben Watson. And maybe, just maybe, N'Keal Harry is the one rookie receiver who can miss the preseason, miss the first eight games and become a dangerous weapon down the stretch.
If all of those things happen, then the Patriots don't need Gronkowski.
Anyone out there have much confidence they will? Didn't think so.
Enter No. 87.
Why should Gronkowski at least contemplate a return?
It certainly wouldn't be for the money, which would be just $2,881,434 for the rest of the season should he meet the deadline of Nov. 30th. The Patriots have $3,915,281 in cap space right now. They can't afford any more, and would have to do something just to be ok cap-wise for the rest of the season.
Here are the reasons why it might be appealing, should someone reach out to Gronkowski:
This could be Brady's last go-around. We all know Brady's situation with the house and his contract. This would be Gronkowski's chance to help send Brady off the right way with his seventh ring, which would edge him past Michael Jordan among modern athletes in most team titles. Considering the relationship of Gronkowski with the Bradys, this could be a huge draw, especially if someone close to Brady tells Gronk that this is it, that Brady is walking away if he wins another title.
Gronkowski would be a free agent after this season. If Gronkowski has any thoughts of coming back to the game after this season, he would always be the property of the Patriots. The team would have the power to retain, trade or cut him. But if Gronkowski comes back for the end of this season, he would then be free and clear of the Patriots — unless they wanted to franchise him. Of course, he could not sign it and tie up their cap space while they try to figure out what to do about Brady or the quarterback position in general — another negative for the team. It all likelihood, the Patriots would allow Gronkowski to go free. That would enable him to follow Brady wherever he went, if the quarterback decided to continue to play for another team. Could you imagine Brady, Gronkowski and McDaniels together with the Chargers?
The Patriots' tight ends can't block anywhere near as well as he did. It's killing the outside running on this team. A Gronk return would open up the outside a bit more in the run game.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)___________________
