For the first time this NFL offseason, Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski has rejoined the New England Patriots for offseason workouts as he made way for the mandatory portion of the activities.
It hasn't taken long for Gronkowski to quickly get comfortable back in the fold as he this week he was seen doing his usual antics on the practice field, according to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal.
Gronk’s actions on the practice field this past week were… interesting. He legit screamed “woo!” after most catches. He’d high step after the other catches. He was trash talking. Oh, and he launched a ball into a tree on the sideline.
Seemed to me like he was free and happy.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) June 8, 2018
This should silence any concern that he isn't fully committed to being back with the team after he spent much of the first several weeks of the offseason contemplating retirement. There was some real concern that he may step away from the game despite having two more years left on his six-year, $54 million deal. It now cements that he will be all-in mentally to the process this summer ahead of the 2018 season.
His jovial behavior on the practice field should be an encouraging sign for the Patriots as he is in the prime of his career that should see him remain a huge piece of the puzzle in the offense. Gronkowksi is still performing at an elite level where he led the Patriots with 69 receptions, 1,084 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns that earned him a Pro Bowl selection and a First-Team All-Pro nod. It marked his fourth 1,000 receiving yard season and third in the last four years.
The 29-year-old will be expected to take on a greater role in the passing game with veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman slated to serve a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy. He has been arguably the favorite receiving target in the passing game for star quarterback Tom Brady over the bulk of his career as the two have hooked up for 75 career touchdown passes, which is the second-most from a quarterback to a tight end in NFL history.
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