Rob Gronkowski has advised his former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to test the waters in free agency this year.
Brady is due to be a free agent and, despite turning 43 in August, the six-time Super Bowl champion has suggested he wants to carry on playing. Having played with the Patriots for his entire 20 seasons in the NFL, there is a possibility Brady is wearing a different jersey next season.
He would likely earn more money by signing for another franchise — with the Colts and Chargers among those who could be interested — and Gronkowski thinks Brady should see what is out there.
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"I truly believe that he deserves the opportunity to go explore, to see what's out there, he's been playing for so long," Gronkowski told reporters ahead of Super Bowl LIV. "The way that he's been playing, the level that he's been playing at, he deserves an opportunity to go out there and test the market."
After 9 years of Gronk spikes, championships, and a trophy dent, it’s an incredible honor to be recognized as a @NFL Top 100 player. I worked hard, tried to get even better, and had fun while doing it. Shout-out to my teammates and coaches, we’re all champions together pic.twitter.com/XGYBaKmuFO
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) December 15, 2019
Gronkowski sees no down side for Brady to simply explore his options.
"Why wouldn't you? You've never done it before in your career and he's going to be a free agent for the first time ever. Good for him. Go test out the market and do what's best for himself," Gronkowski said. "That's the decision he has to make is what's best for himself, what's best for his family, what he feels like he's going to love. That's all up to Tom, he's a grown man and he can make that decision on his own."
Gronkowski spent his entire nine years in the NFL with the Patriots and won three Super Bowl rings as one of Brady's most reliable weapons.