The Patriots finally won a Super Bowl without Rob Gronkowski in their era of dependency upon the big tight end, but during the course of that unforgettable game and epic comeback in Houston, we were reminded why Boston’s favorite party boy is so valuable and irreplaceable to the offense.
It was driven home like a Gronkowski spike.
And while it’s reasonable to assume Gronk might now be expendable, given that the Pats were able to survive and successfully shift the focus of the offense while he was on the shelf, let’s not get carried away.
The first half against the Falcons was the best example of why the Patriots will think long and hard before entertaining the thought of trading their all-world tight end.