Rob Gronkowski Rumors: TE Expects to Return as Long as Patriots Have Tom Brady

Rob Gronkowski grabbed headlines when he declined to commit to playing in 2018, but it appears as long as No. 12 is under center for the New England Patriots, the tight end intends to play.

On Saturday, ESPN's Jeff Darlington reported that while Gronk still hasn't made up his mind on retirement, sources believe it's "pretty certain" he will play football as long as Tom Brady remains with the team. The future Hall of Famer's future with the team came into question last season after a report by ESPN's Seth Wickersham detailed a power struggle between Brady, coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft.

Brady's future became less murky when the team traded both Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo during last season.

Gronkowski, of course, has spent the majority of his eight-year career catching passes from Brady. He spent two games sharing the field with Brissett in 2016 during Brady's Deflategate suspension, but other than that, there's really only been one person throwing him the football.

In 2017, Gronk earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod by catching 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 218 yards and three scores in three postseason games.

From the moment the 6'6", 265-pound tight end entered the league, there has been no more prolific tight end in football. He has 474 catches for 7,179 yards and 76 touchdowns in the regular season during his career, and he also has 972 yards and 12 scores in the playoffs.

In other words, Gronkowski and Brady have formed a good bond on the field.

As talented as he is, the playmaking machine's lengthy injury history, which includes a concussion in this year's postseason, has him considering retirement at the age of 28. He has averaged just 12 games over the past six regular seasons. Careers such as WWE or acting would not have the injury risks that come with football.

Gronk has yet to make an official announcement on his future, but it appears as though he will return to the field next season—assuming Brady is still a Patriot.