Rob Gronkowski: Patriots Bill Belichick 'Dreamed' of Lamar Jackson-Type QB
What do you get a man who has everything?
How about Lamar Jackson?
Though the New England Patriots have had it pretty sweet at quarterback in the new century ... thanks primarily to Tom Brady's victorious 19-year run ... a beneficiary of those passes, Rob Gronkowski, hinted that head coach Bill Belichick always sought more. Speaking on FanDuel's "Up & Adams" show, the legendary tight end said that Belichick openly pined for a dual-threat talent like Jackson during their shared years in Foxboro.
"Coach Belichick always kind of dreamed of a quarterback (that wasn't) just a pocket passer but like a Lamar Jackson-type, the one that could be able to run the ball as well," Gronkowski recalled to host Kay Adams. "I just feel like he likes those types of quarterbacks from all the times he talked about them in meetings and stuff when we were going against them."
With the Patriots going through their own brand of quarterback controversy thanks to reports of Mac Jones being shopped, many have felt that Belichick's supposed vision could be fulfilled. While Jackson has had problems staying healthy, there's no doubt his on-field prowess and talents capable of taking a game over both through the air and on the ground would propel the Patriots to new heights.
Gronkowski admits that Jackson and the Patriots would be a "good fit." But thanks to dollars and sense, the concept "goes both ways."
"It wouldn't be a good fit at the same time because he has to pay him $50-plus million," Gronkowski said. "(Belichick) is not paying $50-plus million for a quarterback. So, therefore, it's not a good fit right off the bat because of that reason. So, I don't think that's going to go down at all."
Gronkowski previously referred to the idea of Belichick putting Jones on the trade block as "fake news."
Jackson's ongoing civil war with the Ravens partly stems from the fact he has not received an expensive long-term contract. His health, which has cost him 11 games over the past two seasons (including Baltimore's postseason cameo in January), has been an issue despite his accolades, which include the 2019 MVP award.
The quarterback has continued to put the "V" in MVP through has absence: in the past two seasons, the Ravens are 3-8 when Jackson does not play as compared to a 15-9 mark otherwise.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here
More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.
