Rob Gronkowski, a four-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history, is once again contemplating a return to the league.
Despite retiring for the second time in 2022, the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star recently admitted that he has been considering making another comeback.
Since stepping away from the game, Gronkowski has remained in the public eye through his work as an NFL analyst, his podcast with former teammate Julian Edelman, and various business ventures.
However, during a recent appearance on the Dudes on Dudes podcast, the 35-year-old suggested that retirement may not be permanent.
During the podcast, Gronkowski shared that his current routine has been more demanding than his time in the NFL, leading him to question whether stepping away from football was the right decision.
“I was talking to my brother, actually, yesterday, and I told him, ‘Hey, I might as well go back to football because I’m grinding harder than I ever grinded before, and I’m not even playing football,'” Gronkowski explained.
“So like, I might as well go back because playing ball would be easier than what I’ve been doing over the last six months.”
While he stopped short of confirming a return, his comments suggested that the thought of playing again is lingering in his mind. He also expressed gratitude for his current career but acknowledged that the competitive fire still burns.
“I appreciate all the people in my life. I appreciate all my jobs. I’m definitely thankful for every job that I had throughout the season,” he added.
Interest from NFL Teams Remains Strong
Even after his retirement, Gronkowski has remained a sought-after player. Several teams have expressed interest in bringing him back, including the Cincinnati Bengals, whose quarterback, Joe Burrow, personally reached out to recruit him.
On a December episode of his podcast, Gronkowski recalled how Burrow texted him following an interview in which he had praised the young star.
“After I retired [in 2022], everyone was still trying to get me to play,” Gronkowski said. “When I had to do some media rounds, they were like, ‘Yo, who is the quarterback you would love to play with?’
“And I was like, ‘Joe Burrow, because he reminds me of [Tom] Brady, and I just love the way that he presents himself in the pocket.'”
Shortly after making those remarks, he received a message from Burrow himself.
“I get a text message, ‘Yo Gronk, what’s up man, I saw you talking about me in the media, it’s Joe Burrow. I’d love for you if you would come to the Cincinnati Bengals,'” Gronkowski recalled.
At first, he thought the message was a prank, but he later confirmed that it was indeed from the Bengals quarterback. Although nothing came of their conversation at the time, the possibility of playing in Cincinnati remains intriguing.
A Third Comeback on the Horizon?
Gronkowski has already returned from retirement once, rejoining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay and winning a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers.
If he does decide to make another comeback, he would likely target a team with a strong quarterback and a realistic shot at winning a championship.
Whether he ultimately returns to the field remains to be seen, but his comments suggest that he has not completely closed the door on playing in the NFL again.
Fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see if Gronkowski makes yet another unexpected return to the game.
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