The New England Patriots were apparently close to trading Rob Gronkowski to the Detroit Lions during the off-season. The tight end, however, allegedly vetoed it by threatening to end his career.
This is reported by ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Thus, the trade was close to closing before Gronkowski threatened to resign. Rumors of a possible Gronk trade to Lions and ex-Patriots-Defensive-Coordinator Matt Patricia had already surrounded the draft.
According to Schefter, however, the concrete problem was not Patricia or Detroit; the tight end did not want to play for any franchise other than New England. So there were probably looser trade talks with other teams, but Gronk’s threat ended them all in the end.
Even before the draft, there had been reports that Gronkowski and Patriots coach Bill Belichick might have a crisis and the tight end might say goodbye. Gronk himself had announced his resignation immediately after the Super Bowl. Gronkowski is said to have had enough of the rather humorless, strict culture of the Patriots.
In the end, however, he announced that he would continue to play in New England in the coming season and shortly before the start of the Regular Season, both sides agreed on a new, revised contract.