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Detroit Lions offered Rob Gronkowski trade by Patriots

By Steven Mullenax

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots warms up prior to Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions had an opportunity to trade for a future Hall of Fame tight end thanks to their trusted relationship with the New England Patroits.

The Detroit Lions clearly have a solid relationship with the New England Patroits, with both general manager Bob Quinn and new head coach Matt Patricia being former longtime alums of the Pats’ organization. That was never more clear than it was during the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Lions made two trades during the annual college player selection event this year. Both of those deals were done with the Patroits. Detroit traded their second (51) and fourth round picks (117) to New England for their 43rd overall selection to draft Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson.

On Day Three of the draft, the Lions once again use their strong relationship with the Patroits to get another trade deal done. Detroit jumped back into the fourth round (114), giving New England a 2019 third round pick to select Alabama defensive end Da’Shawn Hand.

Also consider the fact the Lions went about the task of signing many former Patroits via free agency this offseason. Detroit inked deals with ex-Pats like running back LeGarrette Blount, quarterback Matt Cassel, wide receiver Chris Lacy plus linebackers Trevor Bates and Jonathan Freeny.

It is now being revealed that the Lions could have added a huge name from the Patroits’ roster as well. According to one NFL insider, the Patroits contacted the Lions about a possible trade for All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.

"“I don’t think they were shopping Gronk to the entire league, but there were some teams they trust that I know they talked to. Detroit, Tennessee, Houston, San Francisco. You guys can make the connections there,” MMQB’s Albert Breer told Colin Cowherd on his show The Herd last week."

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After releasing former first round bust Eric Ebron and losing capable backup Darren Fells to free agency, the Lions had a major void to fill at tight end earlier this year. It could be argued that Detroit still has a major need at the position right now despite signing free agents Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo.

Landing Gronkowski would have vaulted this Lions’ passing offense from really good to great instantly. The 29-year old will likely go down as the greatest tight end in NFL history and is already consider by many to be a future Hall of Famer. Heading into his ninth season, Gronk is a five-time Pro Bowler, five-time first team All-Pro and a two-time Super Bowl winner.

Gronkowski’s best season came in 2011, when he posted 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns. That year ended with the Patroits losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

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At the end of the day, it appears the price tag to obtain someone like Rob Gronkowski was much higher than the Detroit Lions or any other NFL team offered the opportunity was willing to pay. The fact Gronkowski has struggled to stay on the field due to injuries for most of his career likely didn’t help. As for Detroit Lions fans, they can only dream about the kind of magic quarterback Matthew Stafford could have pulled off with a tight end like Gronk as his security blanket.

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