Detroit Lions: Failed trade for Rob Gronkowski a missed opportunity

The Detroit Lions were reportedly close to making a trade for All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski. What kind of impact would that move have made?

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn and new head coach Matt Patricia famously came to the Motor City after spending years with the New England Patriots organization. Their championship pedigree is likely the main reason they both currently employed in Detroit.

And to no one’s surprise, Quinn and Patricia have welcomed several former Patriots to their roster this offseason. Veteran’s like quarterback Matt Cassel, running back LeGarrette Blount, and defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois just to name a few.

But if this tandem of former Pats had their way, they would have added one more significant name from New England to their roster. And that’s All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Lions and Patriots were nearing a trade that would have sent Gronkowski to Detroit the week of the NFL Draft back in April. But when the two-time Super Bowl champion found out about the possible move to Motown, he threaten to retire. That action sparked discussions between the Patriots and Gronk, resulting in a reworked contract for him to remain in New England.

But what if the move had been made? Would that have changed the Lions’ destiny this season and beyond? Certainly, the excitement level in the Motor City would have been through the roof. And Gronk’s presence on and off-the-field would have been significant.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford would have been the biggest benefactor. Having a five-time Pro Bowler as a security blanket would have fulfilled the promise the team hoped it would have found in former first-rounder Eric Ebron, who was released this offseason due to his inability to live up to that lofty draft status.

I believe the city of Detroit would have rallied behind Gronk, a gregarious player whose workmanlike style and attitude would have been embraced by this starving fanbase. Gronkowski would have been crowned the King of Motown.

Finally, the 29-year old’s on-field play could have easily resulted in double-digit touchdowns, as the Lions are desperately missing an end zone threat. Last season, Gronk posted 69 receptions for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games.

The three biggest obstacles for the trade were one, the fact Gronkowski did not want to play anywhere else other than with the Patriots. Two, he is an aging player that possesses a long injury history that makes it unlikely he’d be able to play a full 16-game season during his tenure in Detroit. And three, as the trade was conducted prior to the draft, the price tag (likely a few draft picks) to acquire him may have been too high.

In the end, this will be filed under “what might have been” for the Detroit Lions and their fans. The fact Rob Gronkowski threaten to retire rather than play in Detroit stings, although it’s claimed he would have done the same regardless of the landing spot. But still, it would have been nice to see Matthew Stafford have an offensive juggernaut like Gronk to play with.