Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski could end his NFL retirement for the second time and re-enter the league as he ‘wants NFL return’ to the gridiron per a report, with the Denver Broncos expected to be a suitor.
Gronkowski retired from the NFL the first time in 2019 and came out of retirement to play with Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. Gronkowski has been a Fox Sports analyst since hanging up his shoulder pads for the second time in 2022.
The possibility of the 35-year-old Gronkowski coming back to the NFL surfaced through DenverSports.com.
Earlier this month, Gronkowski covered the Super Bowl in New Orleans and did not give any indication that a third term in the NFL was on his mind.
Gronkowski has reportedly been training in Vail, Colorado to get back into top shape for an NFL return.
The legendary tight also worked with Sean Payton at Fox in 2022, who is now the Broncos head coach. He has reportedly been impressed with Denver’s turnaround and Bo Nix at quarterback.
Rob Gronkowski could end his NFL retirement for the second time and re-enter the league
Gronkowski retired from the NFL in 2019 and came out of retirement for Tom Brady in 2020
No other teams have been mentioned as suitors for Gronkowski should he end his second retirement.
Gronkowski has never played for an NFL team not quarterbacked by Brady and would be 36 for the start of the season.
However, having only played two seasons since 2019 could put less damage on the body of one of the greatest pass catchers of all-time.
While the Broncos do not have a glaring need at tight end with Adam Trautman, adding someone with the pedigree of Gronkowski would be a massive upgrade, as it would be for most NFL teams.
Should Gronkowski join the Broncos, he would join a loaded group of starting tight ends in the AFC West including Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers.
Gronkowski has not publicly commented on the situation, but would not need to be quiet for much longer with NFL free agency opening next month.
It could all be a smokescreen but it is far from impossible that Gronkowski would have the itch to play again, having already retired twice.
Gronkowski won four Super Bowls in his NFL career, Brady’s last three with the Patriots and his only with the Buccaneers.
Gronkowski won four Super Bowls, Brady’s last three with New England and his only in Tampa
During his first retirement, Gronkowski competed as ‘White Tiger’ on ‘The Masked Singer’
A second-round pick out of Arizona in 2010, Gronkowski went on to be named to five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro First Teams during his tenure in New England, where he won his first four Super Bowls. During that time he accumulated 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.
For the Super Bowl, Gronkowski was part of the traditional in-studio crew, which set up a lectern just off the playing surface in New Orleans. Brady was the color commentator for the Eagles’ victory over the Chiefs.
Despite battling back injuries in New England, Gronkowski was mostly healthy over two seasons in Tampa, missing only four games and registering 1,205 receiving yards to go with 13 touchdowns.
During both of his retirements, Gronkowski has been a football analyst for Fox, with last season being part of the same broadcast network as Brady.
Gronkowski has also kept a high profile in popular culture when not on the gridiron. He hosted WrestleMania in 2020 from the WWE Performance Center and won the company’s inactive 24-7 Championship.
During his first retirement, Gronkowski participated in ‘The Masked Singer’ where he outperformed 10-time Grammy winner Chaka Khan in their preliminary group before getting ninth place.
Aside from football, the western New York State native has dabbled in comedy, endorses a number of products, and is frequently seen with his famous girlfriend, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Camille Kostek.
Gronkowski is eligible for the Football Hall of Fame in 2027 and is a slam-dunk choice to be a first-ballot induction.
