Patriots Trading Rob Gronkowski?

FOXBOROUGH, MA — There is still a question of whether Rob Gronkowski will even be playing football next season. Now, even if he does return to the gridiron, it's not a guarantee it'll be for the New England Patriots.

The Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard, one of the most dialed-in football reporters in the area, reported Thursday that the "chances of him being traded increases" the longer Gronkowski pussyfoots around whether he is all in next year. According to Bedard, a source close to coach Bill Belichick said Belichick often begins to imagine life without players who refuse to buy all in, and Bedard says Gronk isn't immune to that.

Gronkowski said right after the Super Bowl that he would be reconsidering his future. Then came massive offers from Hollywood and the WWE. Then a report surfaced that said Gronkowski was among key players who feel under-appreciated.

The 28-year-old future Hall of Fame tight end would have a robust trade market. Bedard said it may make sense to pair him up with ex-Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco.

It's already been a tumultuous offseason for New England after a season in which they traded Garoppolo for below market value, fought widespread reports of rifts between Tom Brady, Belichick, and team owner Robert Kraft, and lost a heartbreaking Super Bowl. Key pieces Nate Solder, Malcolm Butler, Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis, and even defensive coordinator Matt Patricia have landed elsewhere.

>>>Read Bedard's full report at the Boston Sports Journal here

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)