Gronk confirms threat to retire amid Lions trade talks: 'Brady's my quarterback'
Following a loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday night, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski confirmed that the Pats considered trading him to Motown this offseason.
Gronk doesn't want to leave Tom Brady's side, and he threatened to retire as a result.
"Yeah, it happened, and Brady's my quarterback. That's all. Wasn't going anywhere without Brady."
- NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 24, 2018
Gronk admits he threatened to retire when the Patriots considered trading him to the Lions. pic.twitter.com/t2gCGVjy1P
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that the trade was nearly consummated before this year's draft, but Gronkowski refused to answer the Lions' phone calls.
Gronkowski has spent his entire nine-year career in New England, winning two Super Bowls. In that time, however, he's played a complete 16-game campaign just twice and 15 games two other times.
Nonetheless, Gronk is a four-time All-Pro and has formed a strong bond with Brady, even following his quarterback's TB12 training methods.
The Patriots restructured the tight end's contract ahead of the 2018 season, adding $4.3 million in incentives.
The Lions, coached by former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, managed to shut down the Brady-Gronkowski connection on Sunday, limiting Gronk to four catches for 51 yards.
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