Rob Gronkowski Comments on Roger Goodell, Future in Football, More

Following another injury-plagued season, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is confident he will be ready to roll in 2017.

Gronk said in an interview with ESPN's Cari Champion that there is "no doubt" he'll be ready to play when the 2017 campaign commences.

He also declared his desire to continue playing as long as he can despite suffering through myriad injuries in recent years: "I'm not really sure. I still love playing the game and, as of right now, I want to play as long as I can possibly play. My mindset is to keep on going."

The four-time Pro Bowler played in only eight games last season due to back, hamstring and lung ailments.

He also underwent his third back surgery in December and missed New England's entire playoff run, which culminated in a come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

In all, the 27-year-old veteran has missed 24 regular-season contests during his seven-year NFL career.

Quarterback Tom Brady rarely misses games due to injury, but he was out of action for the first four games of the 2016 season due to a suspension in relation to the Deflategate scandal.

That made NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell public enemy No. 1 among Pats fans, and Gronk doesn't expect him to return to Gillette Stadium any time soon because of that:

"

To tell you the truth? I really don't think so. The fans are nuts. They are wild. They have the Patriots' back no matter what. They have Tom's back, I'm telling you. [Goodell] won't get through the highway if the fans saw him. I don't even think he can land in the airport in Boston, because Patriots fans are the best fans. They're the most loyal fans.

I'm telling you, they might just carry out Roger themselves. They couldn't even get to the stadium in Foxborough, if he landed in Boston.

"

Provided a surprising trade doesn't go down, Gronkowski will certainly be in the house when the 2017 NFL season opens and the Pats are honored for their latest championship.

Gronk's return to health is made even more vital by the fact that tight end Martellus Bennett is set to hit free agency, which could price New England out of the market.

The Patriots rarely seem to miss a beat even when they lose a big piece in free agency or due to injury, and a healthy Gronkowski would help immensely in that regard.