Tuesday 22 May 2018 18:14, UK
The New England Patriots began their voluntary offseason training activities program on Monday, but without quarterback Tom Brady.
Star tight end Rob Gronkowski was also missing, with NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reporting both Brady and Gronkowski are expected to attend the Patriots' mandatory minicamp from June 5-7.
Brady, who turns 41 on August 3, confirmed in late April that he intends to play the upcoming season, but has skipped all voluntary activities this offseason to take more time for himself and his family in the wake of a 41-33 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl.
"Football is year-round for me," Brady said recently. "It's a lot of thought, a lot of energy and emotion put into it, but I need to invest in them, too. My kids are 10, 8 and 5. They're not getting younger, so I need to take time so I can be available to them, too.
Gronkowski, who turned 29 a week ago, is scheduled to make a base salary of $8 million in the final two years of his current deal, although the team are working on restructuring his contract, according to an NFL Network report.
"I'm not going to talk about the people that aren't here," said coach Bill Belichick when asked if he's spoken to Brady.
"The guys who are here are improving, they're working hard. Those are the guys we're going to focus on. All the guys that are out here working are improving, and it's a great opportunity for them and our team to come together, and that's what's happening."
Due to league rules, any new restructure of Gronkowski's contract that includes incentives cannot be signed until Thursday, a year after Gronkowski signed a new deal to boost his 2017 salary.
Gronkowski's absence from the offseason conditioning program prevented him from collecting the $250,000 workout bonus in his contract. He confirmed on social media in April that he plans to play in 2018, which will be his ninth NFL season, after admitting following the loss to the Eagles that he was considering his future.
In 14 games last season, Gronkowski totaled 69 catches, 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns. He has not played in a full season since 2011, his second campaign, missing a total of 26 games over the last six years.
