I mean, I 100% think this is logical. But we disagree fundamentally in 2 points:
1 - I think you (and others) are misreading the value of Gronk's contract. First, it's only 12M this year with incentives, which probably wont be met- At this year's pace he will only meet the playing time incentive. (
Agent: Gronk can earn $4.3M in incentives in '18) - So his contract, this year, is 9.1 M (most likely)
Now consider the TE's market. At 9,1, he would be the 4th highest TE. Considering that This was the first year where players surpassed him (at least in base), it logical to assume that the market will keep on rising, since it's been re-set. (Jimmy Graham is the highest paid TE... and he is not hallmark player)
So, do I think Gronk's production is easily and cheapily repleaceble from whoever i might get, in this inflationated market? The answer to me is no. Even if he is slower for good (and missing time this season too), Gronk still has the 9th most yards and how he is still a tremendous blocker (much better than Allen, IMO, who is held in high regards here). Plus, he is treath to every DC's head in the league, opening pieces all around and, finally, knowing the playbook, something that we know it is not easy (And TEs have the hardest responsabilites, at least i remember reading this somewhere)
2 - I am being bold (AKA stupid) for D. McCourty
Yeah, that's just it. I simply have a feeling that he will get traded, because his production (not skillset) can be replaced cheaply