A few years ago, the following scenario would have been impossible to imagine. Today, if not likely, it absolutely has a chance, especially with Bill Belichick as the man running things.

Rob Gronkowski may not be long for the New England Patriots and according to Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, the chances of a trade are “increasing.”

“A Bill Belichick-friendly source agreed with my thinking that once a player makes Belichick start to contemplate life without him, Belichick starts to warm to being without that player. “He imagines you gone,” he said. The longer Gronkowski goes without saying he's all in, the chances of him being traded increases, the source said.

The logic from Bedard is sound and makes sense. After all, this is Bill Belichick. He'd trade Tom Brady if he thought he was slipping or it was worth his time.

While sound, take this report for what it's truly worth. There is no real source of information here that proclaims the Pats are actively or looking to shop the All-Pro tight end.

Gronkowski, 28, is a second-round selection of the Pats circa the 2010 NFL Draft. To call him, arguably, the greatest tight-end in league history isn't a stretch. No player at his position has ever come close to his postseason numbers. With five Pro Bowl nods and four First-Team All-Pro selections, he's a walking Pro Football Hall of Famer.

A year ago, Gronk put up 1,084 yards and eight scores on 69 catches in just 14 games. He still hasn't committed to a future—playing or retiring—and it seems Bill Belichick is becoming just as restless as fans.