Rob Gronkowski (who once vetoed a trade to Detroit) would play for Dan Campbell's Lions

It wasn’t that long ago the Detroit Lions were still considered a non-marquee NFL team. In fact, the Lions were once so completely rudderless that future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski vetoed a trade to Detroit in 2018 at the near-apex of his legendary career.

To be fair, who could blame him back then?

Gronkowski is singing a different tune about the 12-2 Lions these days. (Yes, even with all of Detroit’s injuries.)

After Lions head coach Dan Campbell delivered a fiery speech about Detroit players not feeling sorry for themselves amidst their poor injury luck, Gronkowski told FanDuel’s Kay Adams that he “loved” Campbell.

So much so that he’d love to play for him if he was still in the NFL. That means, in effect, Gronkowski would finally play for the Lions because, you know, Campbell coaches them. What an unexpected twist:

Gronk wants to play for Dan Campbell pic.twitter.com/EtQkX5h5UH

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) December 18, 2024

It goes to show you what having a genuine leader like Campbell does for an NFL team. If someone like Gronkowski is now singing Campbell’s praises so much that even he wouldn’t mind playing for the Lions, one can only imagine the degree to which active Detroit players love their coach.

Well, there’s also the fact that the Lions are really, really good and are no longer cellar dwellers. Every great player wants to win. That definitely doesn’t hurt.