NFL Rumors: Gronkowski Unsure About Football Return Despite Brady Holding Off Retirement

Rob Gronkowski remains a free agent although he previously said that an NFL return would probably depend if Tom Brady would return.

And as most know, the seven-time Super Bowl champion already announced that he will be returning for the 2022-23 NFL season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But it appears that this development has not sunk in for Gronkowski, at least not yet.

"Right now, I'm not ready to get back out on that field," Gronkowski told TMZ Sports. "I'm not ready to commit to the game of football right now."

When the Bucs were eliminated last NFL season, Gronkowski initially said that if he had to make a decision, he would not return for the 2022 NFL season, ESPN reported.

Right now, the door does not appear to be completely shut with Gronkowski seemingly finding a spark to re-ignite his appetite to play football. He took part in a recent charity event which could somehow play a part in his potential return to NFL action.

"I knew if I started catching some passes that my head would have started turning, like, 'Oh, crap, I got to get back out on the field,'" Gronkowski said.

"Even in your 30s, I mean, you just can't just slack it and just be 50% all-in, then you're going to get caught off with the game and it's going to just spit you right out," Gronkowski said. "You've got to be fully dedicated. I'm not ready to do that yet, I'm not going to sign a contract if I'm not fully ready," he added.

Even though nothing is certain on his end, Gronkowski believes that his buddy Tom Brady is far from done.

"He's not done, man, let me tell you," Gronkowski said. "The guy's 44 and, let me tell you, he doesn't look a day over 23 when he's throwing the football around."