The Facts: An early evening conversation with Bill Belichick brings us no closer to knowing the plans of Gronkowski. Asked if he had gotten any indication from Gronkowski on whether he’d be back for 2018, Belichick answered, “I’m not going to speak for anybody else. Conversations I’ve had with the players -- and I’ve had a lot of them -- I’m gonna keep those private between myself and the player. I’ll respect that coach-to-player conversation. I don’t want to speak for anybody else.”

Diehards Line: As NBCSports.com's Tom Curran, Gronk said immediately after the Super Bowl he was going to ponder his future. Health concerns were the initial issue cited. Since then, I’ve reported on Gronk’s disillusionment during last training camp and his irritation with the way he felt he was treated and singled out in some instances. Gronkowski also has two years left on a contract that – while lucrative when it was signed – is now horrifically outdated.