“During the offseason, while he stayed away from the team and mulled retirement, the
Patriots engaged in trade talks centered around star tight end
Rob Gronkowski. They had several interested parties, and at one point, it appeared a deal would get done to send Gronk to a new team, sources say.
But when Gronkowski learned of his new reality, he strongly resisted. He informed the
Patriotsthat he would rather step away from football and retire than play for another team, coach or quarterback. He told people close to him that he only wants to catch passes from
Tom Brady.
Any trade likely would have come with a new contract for Gronkowski, and without his cooperation, no trade was consummated. the 2017 season had been difficult for Gronkowski, and he openly mused about retirement after the
Super Bowl. He wanted to work out with guru Alex Guerrero because he believed the trainer helped him feel as good as he's ever felt.
This all led to an in-person meeting with coach Bill Belichick, Gronkowski's longtime agent Drew Rosenhaus and Gronkowski, one that culminated in Gronk's Instagram announcing he was back. Two weeks ago, the two sides
agreed on a reworked contract to give him higher upside.“
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000959229/article/rob-gronkowski-resisted-potential-trade-from-patriots