NFL legend Rob Gronkowski has joined FOX Sports as an on-air analyst for the remaineder of the 2022 season to end speculation regarding a potential return to the field.
The four-time All-Pro tight end and four-time Super Bowl champion has been linked with an NFL comeback after he retired following the conclusion of the 2021 season, with a return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers alongside Tom Brady mooted. However, Gronkowski has signed a deal to appear on FOX NFL Sunday and FOX NFL Kickoff throughout the current campaign.
Gronkowski first joined FOX’s NFL team in 2019 after he originally retired from the New England Patriots. After Brady joined the Buccaneers in 2020, the 33-year-old signed with the Florida franchise where he spent two seasons.
Gronkowski scored a pair of first-half touchdowns to help the Bucs to a 31-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV - his fourth ring. He played in 12 games during the 2021 season to tally 802 yards and six touchdowns before retiring for a second time.
Speculation has been brewing to suggest Gronkowski might still return this season just as he did in 2020. However, he has insisted his playing career is over - and the move to television likely means the tight end is truly done.
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Gronkowski is certainly keeping himself busy since retiring after the Buccaneers crashed out of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, the eventual Super Bowl champions. Alongside his FOX role, Gronkowski has appeared in UFC commentary for ESPN, hosted ‘Gronk Beach’ at the 2022 NFL Draft, been linked with a return to WWE and hosted shows including this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards.
Assuming his iconic playing career is truly over, Gronkowski recorded four Super Bowl victories, four All-Pro nods, and is sixth in all-time receiving yards at tight end (9,286) and third in career touchdowns (92). He achieved over 1,000 yards receiving in four seasons of his career.
Back in 2011 - his second season in the NFL - Gronkowski set the league record for most touchdowns by a tight end in a season, with 17. It was the second of our occasions he put up double digits in receiving touchdowns.
