By now everyone knows what Rob Gronkowski has been up to this offseason, most recently not attending the start of the Patriots offseason workout program and then holding a bizarre press conference at Gillette Staduium before a Monstor MotorCross event where he seemingly mocked the program as a whole.
Speaking on The Ringer's GM Street podcast, Mike Lombardi, a former Patriots executive and close friend of Bill Belichick, said he believes Gronkowski's actions have been all about money.
Lombardi also shared a story from a few years ago when Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski's agent, asked for a new contract less than 12 months after he had just signed one, which is against the rules.
"I think people are confusing this thing so dramatically," Lombardi said. "I mean they are saying, 'Gronk is mad at Belichick.' No, this is about money. It's about money. He wants another contract. There was a time where every year Gronk [wanted] another contract. There was a time when at the combine Drew Rosenhaus had typed a letter, he [wanted] a new contract, and he forgot that the rules state you have to wait 12 months before you can do a new contract. That is how much he's always trying to [get new contracts].
"In fact, in fairness to Rosenhaus and in fairness to Gronk, it is hard to officiate Gronk and it is hard to pay Gronk. Let's face it, if we were ... doing a fantasy draft we would pick Gronk over Sammy Watkins, who is making $16 million. We would pick Gronk over most offensive players. He is hard to do a contract for. This is about money. It's green. It's money."
Lombardi didn't seem to think Gronkowski and Tom Brady missing the sessions are a big deal, as long as the two are working out on their own and in good shape when the season comes.
"Look, it's a voluntary workout, I am sure he says he is going to be in good shape," he said of Gronkowski. "I mean Gronk works out. He's always in good shape. Same thing with Brady. Just because they are not there doesn't mean they are not going to play. I think Brady, if he wasn't going to play he owes it to the Patriots to let them know fairly quickly he wasn't going to play because as we enter draft week this is the time that you need to know what is going on.
"I am very confident both players will play, and I think the only thing that would concern me about Gronk is if he doesn't have a great offseason those injures tend to creep up a little bit. Guys that don't really spend the offseason working, and I am sure maybe he is, but you always worry about that injury."
