Rob Gronkowksi: I Would Have Retired If Traded to the Lions

"Brady's my quarterback," Gronkowski said when asked about trade rumors.

Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski played the worst game of his life on Sunday. (Jim Rogash/ Getty)
Getty Images

Rob Gronkowski confirmed that the New England Patriots discussed trading him to the Lions this offseason, and that he threatened to retire if a deal went through. The Detroit Lions beat the Patriots 26-10 on Sunday, after which the Patriots tight end verified Adam Schefter’s report from earlier in the day.

“Yeah it, happened. Brady’s my quarterback,” Gronkowski told a journalist when questioned about the Schefter report.

At the height of those trade talks, Gronk refused to even pick up the phone when Detroit executives called. The comments certainly suggests that Gronk’s fate in the league is inextricably tied to the 41-year-old quarterback, and that he plans to finish his career in New England.

After trade talks ceased, the Patriots brought back Gronk on a revamped contract. The 77 touchdowns Gronkowski has recorded with the team puts him third all-time among tight ends.

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