If there’s tension on the Patriots about tight end Rob Gronkowski’s continuing absence, Tom Brady hasn’t noticed it.
Brady said in an interview with WestwoodOne Sports that he doesn’t know where the reports about tension toward Gronkowski came from. According to Brady, everyone on the team understands that Gronkowski, who is recovering from offseason arm and back surgeries, will come back as soon as he’s healthy enough to come back.
“I don’t think there’s any resentment toward Rob or any other player on our team that is fighting through rehabilitation to get back on the field,” Brady said. “Look, everyone loves having Rob out on the field but we also understand that these medical decisions are out of the hands of the players and coaches. And if the doctors, when they clear them, they clear them, and when they don’t, they don’t. That goes for every player in the NFL. It’s not just our team, it’s every team. So we’ll be excited to get him back. When that is, I don’t have the answer, but I prepare each week regardless of who’s out there. You got to go with the guys that are healthy and the guys who are ready to play. And look, we’ve had plenty of guys contribute to get to 5-1 at this point. So I have a lot of confidence in the guys I’m out there with and whenever Rob comes back, whenever that is and he’s cleared, the team will be excited to have him back.”
Gronkowski is expected to get back on the field soon, and when he does he will likely be Brady’s favorite target in the passing game. Until then, Brady isn’t questioning why Gronkowski remains sidelined.