NFL star Rob Gronowski has hinted he could be about to step away from the sport as speculation over the future of team-mate Tom Brady rumbles on.
Both Gronowski and Brady - widely considered the greatest quarter-back of all time - were instrumental as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the 2021 Super Bowl with a resounding 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
But the Bucs' hopes of retaining the title this year were ended as they fell 30-27 to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional play-offs last Sunday - with Brady now due to take extra time to mull over whether or not he sees out the final year of his contract next season.
And now tight-end Gronowski, 32, has told TMZ Sports that if the franchise forced him to make an immediate decision - then he would walk away from the team.
"If they're like, 'Rob, you've got to decide right now, right this second if you're playing next year,' I would say no right now," he said. "It's two days after the season.
"I would be like, 'No, I'm not playing.' You've got to give it some time. You've got to rest. I would say to see how everything goes, how everything plays out."
There was no let-up in Gronowski's form this season, playing in 12 regular-season games, netting 55 catches for 802 yards and six touchdown's, but he admitted niggling injuries were affecting his current mindset.
"If I had an answer right now, it would be no. But in three weeks, it might be yes.
"I just want to heal completely, see where my thoughts are from there," Gronowski said. "Just let things settle down, got to just heal a little bit. Fix all the bumps and bruises."
The player famously known as 'Gronk' has retired before, but returned specifically to play with Brady, but said regardless of what his close friend decides "I've got to do what's best for myself first."
Earlier this month, in a game with the Carolina Panthers, it was Brady, 44, who refused to leave the field until he'd helped Gronowski pocket a huge bonus.
With the latter needing one more catch to take his total to seven and land himself $500,000, Brady followed his act of defiance by duly supplying the crucial pass.
