Before Tampa Bay Gronk, there was almost Detroit Gronk.
Rob Gronkowski is one of the greatest players in New England Patriots history, but the team came very close to trading the legendary tight end during the 2018 offseason. In fact, the Patriots actually had a deal in place with the Lions to trade Gronkowski to Detroit in exchange for first- and second-round picks not long after New England fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
Gronkowski didn't exactly cooperate, however, later admitting that he threatened to retire if the Patriots went through with the trade.