Gronk finally tells Pats he’s a go for ’18

Perhaps it occurred to Rob Gronkowski, or his camp, that he went a bit too far on Saturday during his bizarre Monster Energy press appearance at Gillette Stadium.

Or maybe it was just time.

Because after saying he wasn’t sure he would be playing for the Patriots in 2018, and saying, “I’ve got dirt-biking skills to work on,” Gronkowski finally told Bill Belichick his intentions for the season.

Via an Instagram post last night, Gronkowski said he met with the Patriots coach and let him in on his plans.

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

Given how Gronkowski has been contemplating retirement since the Patriots lost to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, his injury history and reports of friction with Belichick, this is obviously good news.

It’s hard to believe Gronkowski would be putting out the information if they didn’t reach some kind of accord, or if the meeting wasn’t positive.

Again, the two-time Patriots captain had to know his act on Saturday, even if lighthearted and goofy in his usual manner, probably didn’t sit well with Belichick or others working inside Gillette, not to mention the fan base, given where he was and the message it sent.

Saying he was going to be a “freek-a-leek” when he got back, when he was steps away from where his teammates were working out, wasn’t a good look.

Perhaps he got the message. Perhaps he knows he was flying dangerously close to being shipped out the door.

Whatever the impetus for meeting with Belichick, it’s good to have them communicating again.

If the end game results in a happier Gronkowski this season, perfect. Maybe he’s even better than last year, which is a tall order. Maybe he gets more money from the Patriots. That’s fine, too.

Gronkowski has two years remaining on his contract with a salary of $8.9 million this season and $10 million for 2019. With the incentives he reached in 2017, he made just over $10 million.

By any standard, he’s underpaid, so it appears they’re at least working on that.

On Saturday, Gronkowski said he did not plan to attend optional Patriots workouts.

It remains to be seen if last night’s revelation changes that stance. Gronkowski, of course, has been working at TB12 to keep fit. He is still with trainer non grata Alex Guerrero.

At the very least, his announcement pretty much assures him of being at mandatory minicamp and perhaps more if he wants to recoup some bonus money.

So maybe, Gronkowski just figured it was time.