Former NFL Tight End Rob Gronkowski Denies A Return To The NFL

Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his first retirement on March 24, 2019, after nine seasons. The long-time New England Patriot returned a year later and reunited with Tom Brady to win his fourth Super Bowl as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

Gronkowski, 33, announced his retirement from the NFL for a second time on June 21, 2022, although various reports have made it seem the five-time Pro-Bowler is considering a return to the gridiron.

Speculation from the NFL and fans arose when the 11-year veteran tweeted, "I’m kinda bored," on December 21. Although Gronkowski remained a free agent, the four-time First-team All-Pro explained he is currently enjoying his second retirement and not going anywhere, Kay Adams reported in the Up and Adams Show.

“I don’t really have an itch to go back, I’m sure if I did I would’ve went back already,” Gronkowski mentioned on "Up and Adams," FanDuel TV's flagship daily morning show. He added, “I’m not really prepared right now to go back at all either, the mindset, mentally or physically, not prepared at all.”

Gronkowski's tweet prompted several teams to reach out to him and his agent as he has gotten multiple inquiries about returning this year, via Ian Rapoport of ESPN. Rapoport provided some context on Gronk's future on the NFL Network's Good Morning Football, noting that the Churchill, Pennsylvania native is unlikely to suit up in 2022.

Although, a 2023 return could be on the table, as well as a potential reunion with his longtime quarterback, Tom Brady.

"Certainly, from my understanding, the door is open for (Gronkowski playing in) 2023," Rapoport told Good Morning Football. He added, "And of course, Tom Brady is a free agent at the end of this year. I know the Bucs want him back, but there is the possibility of him going somewhere else if he doesn't retire. I wouldn't be surprised if Gronk followed him wherever he went."

Gronkowski is arguably one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. The 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year holds multiple NFL records, including Most receiving touchdowns in a season by a tight end (17), and caught 55 passes for 802 yards across 12 games in 2021.

In the fall of 2022 Gronkowski returned to Fox as an analyst for “Fox NFL Sunday” and “Fox NFL Kickoff,” roughly four months after he announced his second NFL retirement.