Things probably weren't great between Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichick during the 2018 offseason, months after the Patriots lost to the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
Belichick tried to trade the tight end to Detroit, but he squashed the deal by threatening to retire. Gronkowski confirmed this happened when speaking following the Week 3 game against the Lions.
Years later, and now that both parties are in Tampa Bay, it's being learned that Brady would have also left the Patriots if the deal went through.
This from NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran on Wednesday: Belichick tried to ship (Gronkowski) out before the 2018 season. Had him signed, sealed and nearly delivered to the Lions before Gronk said, "Hell, no I won't go," and Tom Brady made it known they'd be minus one quarterback as well if they pulled that off.
Gronkowski obviously returned for the 2018 season, which turned out to be his final one in New England, and perhaps the most remarkable thing of all is that despite all this drama during the offseason, the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl.
Just another layer of a fascinating few years in Foxborough.
