FOXBORO -- It was an interesting offseason for Rob Gronkowski, as the tight end wouldn't commit to playing in 2018 right after the Super Bowl loss, and it took him until around the draft to fully commit to the season.
The tight end spoke during mandatory minicamp, but for the first time really opened up on his offseason in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
"I was seeing how I was recovering, how my body was feeling," he said of why it took him so long to commit to playing in 2018. "Taking a little break mentally and physically from the game. Just seeing how I felt and seeing if I wanted to do it another year and if I was able to endure another season. That was the main thing. I feel like I'm ready to go, physically and mentally."
Gronkowski and Tom Brady both missed all of the voluntary offseason workouts, which Gronkowski said was in order to preserve his body.
"Yeah, keep the body fresh and mentally and physically take a little break, off the body, off the mind," he said. "See where I was at. Now I am definitely ready to get back to football and play the game."
The tight end was asked how his body feels going into his ninth season.
"I really can't give a ranking how I feel compared to other seasons." Gronkowski said. "It's a long season. You have to endure all the practices, all the games. Every day you are trying to feel the best you can to be out there with your teammates. You always want to feel good. I just feel good. Just ready to start back up."
Besides Gronkowski, the biggest topic with the Patriots this offseason was the on-going drama between Bill Belichick and Brady. James Harrison said last week he believes it's all made up and it seems like Gronkowski agrees.
"He's definitely onto something," he said. "But I feel like you have to give him a call. Everyone sees everything different. I can't speak for him or explain what he meant."
Added Gronkowski: "I feel like it's the same every year. You just block out those distractions. I have to focus on what I can control and what I can do. Just try to be the best player I can be, help the team out however I can help out. Block out all the noise."
As for the tight end's Instagram post when Danny Amendola signed with Miami when he said, "be HAPPY" and "be FREE," Gronkowski had an interesting response.
"That's for the whole world," he said. "That would be amazing if the whole world was free and happy. I love life. Free and happy."
Gronkowski and the Patriots officially open training camp Thursday morning.
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