One of the greatest Patriots in franchise history and tight ends in National Football League history is defending Mac Jones.
Rob Gronkowski was a second-round pick by Bill Belichick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
RELATED: Former Patriot believes team is making a mistake shopping Mac Jones for a trade
He played nine seasons (2010-18) with Tom Brady, becoming one of the most dominant forces in the league.
Gronkowski had four 1,000+ yard receiving seasons, including a career-high 1,327 yards in 2011. He led the NFL for receiving yards and touchdowns (17) from a tight end in 2011. As a four-time NFL All-Pro first-team selection and five-time Pro Bowl selection for New England, Gronkowski is a four-time Super Bowl champion among his other accomplishments for the Patriots.
He has heard the trade rumors involving Mac Jones, but he is not buying it. Jones, a University of Alabama alum, got selected at No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He led the Patriots to the playoffs at 10-7 as a rookie and set rookie franchise records for passing yards (3,810) and passing touchdowns (22). New England did not set him up for success in 2022 as it gave him a defensive mind (Matt Patricia) and a special teams guru (Joe Judge) to be co-offensive coordinators and co-quarterback coaches.
Gronkowski sees the trade rumors as “fake news,” according to the interview he had with Kay Adams.
Patriots trading Mac Jones?
NO WAY says GRONK.
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) April 5, 2023
“There was just too much turnover this year,” Gronkowski said about why he feels the trade rumors with Jones are fake news.
“He got a new offensive coordinator, and the whole offensive staff was turned over. If you are shipping your quarterback, that is just too much turnover to have in the NFL in one season. I don’t think that is real news. I think that is fake news, but in the future, if Mac Jones does not put it together with Bill O’Brien, then I could see that being a possibility after this season.”
Gronkowski joins Devin and Jason McCourty as Patriots legends that want to see Jones work in New England.
This fall is pivotal for the former Crimson Tide quarterback.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
