Rob Gronkowski Rumors: Patriots to Keep TE After Brandin Cooks Trade to Rams

The New England Patriots are likely to keep tight end Rob Gronkowski after they traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday. 

The MMQB's Albert Breer reported Monday a few teams had reached out to him to say they were planning on making trade offers for the five-time Pro Bowler. 

The fact New England traded Cooks may also be indicative of the team's confidence level about Gronkowski continuing to play in 2018.

Boston Sports Journal's Greg A. Bedard (h/t The Big Lead's Bobby Burack) spoke to a "Bill Belichick-friendly source" who speculated Belichick might be more open to trading Gronkowski if he continued to waffle about his future.

Following the Patriots' 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, Gronkowski declined to commit to returning for next season. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Bedard in March there weren't any updates regarding Gronkowski's final decision.

However, ESPN.com's Jeff Darlington reported Sunday that Gronkowski is "pretty certain" to come back as long as Tom Brady is the Patriots' starting quarterback. Darlington reported there's a level of friction between Gronkowski and Belichick, though that may not impact Gronkowski's choice.