SPORTS

Patriots: Rob Gronkowski makes it official — he's all-in for 2018

Mark Daniels, @MarkDanielsPJ
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski made an announcement in a post on Instagram Tuesday that he will in fact return to play for the team this coming season. [File Photo/The Associated Press]

The band is definitely getting back together.

On Tuesday, Rob Gronkowski met with Bill Belichick and informed the Patriots coach that he will not retire and plans on playing for the 2018 season.

This news comes a day after Tom Brady’s agent, Don Yee, said that the quarterback is also committed to the upcoming season.

For the Patriots, it’s a disaster averted.

A little before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Gronk made the announcement on his Instagram page.

“I met with coach today and informed him I will be back for the 2018 season with the Pats,” Gronkowksi wrote. “I have been working out, staying in shape and feel great. Looking forward to another championship run.”

Gronkowski ended the post with a “bands a make her dance” hashtag, which is a Juicy J song that he’s been tweeting about all offseason.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was also in the meeting with Belichick on Tuesday. Schefter added that Gronkowski would not be traded this season.

After Super Bowl LII, Gronkowski surprised many by admitting that he was contemplating retirement. The tight end said he was going to sit down “over the next couple of weeks” and think about his future. A couple of weeks turned into months. The Patriots went through the months of February and March without any real answer from their All-Pro.

When the team gathered at Gillette Stadium last week for the start of the offseason workout program, Gronk didn’t report. Instead, the tight end has been working out at the TB12 Sports Therapy Center, which is in Patriot Place next to the stadium.

To make matters more confusing, Gronk held a wacky press conference last Saturday during a Monster Energy AMA Supercross event. The tight end made it seem like he would be back although he kept backtracking and tried his best to not talk about football.

This news also comes two days before the 2018 NFL Draft.

Although having Gronkowski committed for the 2018 season is a very good thing for the Patriots, the team may still look for a younger tight end. Gronkowski currently has two years left on his deal. He’s set to count as a $10.9-million cap hit this season, and then as a $12-million cap hit in 2019.

Considering the uncertainty with his long-term future, the Patriots could be in position to add another tight end. The team has been connected to nearly a dozen tight end prospects leading up to this draft.

Nevertheless, the Patriots foundation is in place — at least for this coming season.

Brady is returning and so is Gronk. Once again, the Patriots are in position for another Super Bowl run.