Rob Gronkowski is retiring. Again.
The All-Pro tight end is hanging up his cleats after 11 seasons, four Super Bowl victories and 107 touchdown receptions across the regular season and playoffs. He was a staple of dominant teams whether it was as a New England Patriot or Tampa Bay Buccaneer; every team he ever played for wound up making the playoffs. He’s been one of the most prolific targets in Tom Brady’s long career, having caught all but two of those touchdown passes from the legendary quarterback.
Gronkowski announced he’d ended his NFL career in an Instagram post roundly thanking Tampa Bay but neglecting to mention the nine years he’d spent in New England prior to moving south.
He’ll be a no doubt NFL Hall of Fame finalist come 2027 if he stays retired. Gronkowski has stared down the end of his career before. He ended his career in 2019 before returning to reunite with Brady in Florida before the 2020 season. That led to a Buccaneer world championship and a pair of touchdowns in Super Bowl 55.
It’s feasible to think “Gronk” could change his mind again before the 2022 season. He’s only 33 years old and coming off a season in which his 804 receiving yards ranked seventh among all tight ends despite playing in only 12 games. His agent Drew Rosenhaus, admitted as much Tuesday:
Agent @DrewJRosenhaus, via text, on his client Rob Gronkowski's retirement: "This is just my opinion but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season." Adds that if @TomBrady reaches out in midseason, he could see where "Rob answers the call." https://t.co/eSKCp3EJcV
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 21, 2022
If this is indeed the end, Gronkowski will have the chance to retire to the life of hosting parties and hoisting pro wrestling championships he left behind in 2020. If not, it’s a safe bet the Buccaneers will have a locker waiting for him before the team’s playoff push.
