One of the most bombastic NFL media personalities will not be returning to the playing field in 2025.
Cecil Lammey of DenverSports.com reported Tuesday that league sources were saying four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski is considering a comeback.
Ian Rapoport, however, downplayed the report, and Gronkowski himself said Wednesday that he won't be coming out of retirement this year.
Gronkowski last retired from the NFL in 2022 after playing for the Buccaneers. He also retired briefly in 2019, after winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots that season, before reuniting with Tom Brady in Tampa. He's been an analyst for Fox Sports since 2022, appearing alongside the Fox NFL Sunday crew.
Here's what you need to know about any potential return to the NFL for Gronkowski.
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Will Rob Gronkowski return to NFL?
Gronkowski said he will not return to the NFL this year.
Lammey's report indicates he's been working out in altitude in Vail, Colorado this offseason to get in shape for another NFL season. But Gronkowski said that he's been in Australia, and that he wants to relax away from the field going forward.
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How old is Rob Gronkowski?
The former Pro Bowl tight end is 35 and will turn 36 in May, but teams looking to bring in a veteran presence with a championship pedigree could still be interested in him in the future.
There are some examples of players coming out of retirement around this age and having success. Deion Sanders was retired for three seasons before returning to the NFL in 2004 with the Ravens at 37. Randy Moss made a comeback with the 49ers in 2012 at 35. And, of course, Tom Brady came out of a brief retirement and returned to the Buccaneers in 2022 to play his final season at 45.
Rob Gronkowski potential landing spots
If Gronkowski were to return to the NFL soon, what are some potential landing spots?
Denver Broncos
The Broncos could be a fit for Gronkowski, as he worked with head coach Sean Payton at Fox Sports during the 2022-23 season, when the latter was a studio analyst.
Two of Gronkowski's brothers, Chris and Dan, had brief stints with the Broncos, meaning Rob has some familiarity with how the organization runs. Lammey also wrote that Grownkowski is intrigued by the skillset of quarterback Bo Nix.
New England Patriots
Could Gronkowski return to the team where he became a superstar?
Gronkowski was named a first-team All-Pro four times and won three out of his four Super Bowls working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was recently hired as New England head coach Mike Vrabel's new offensive coordinator.
The tight end is comfortable with the organization and could be a strong locker room presence as Vrabel tries to reestablish the Patriot way with a young team.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers would make a lot of sense for Gronkowski, considering it's the organization he played for most recently.
While Tampa Bay has swapped Brady for Baker Mayfield at quarterback in the time since Gronkowski retired, much of the receiving corps remains in tact, including Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Gronkowski should have no trouble picking up where he left off in Tampa, where he won his fourth and final Super Bowl in 2021.
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Cincinnati Bengals
While the Bengals already have a loaded a group of pass catchers with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who is likely to be franchise tagged this offseason, the addition of a veteran tight end wouldn't hurt.
Not to mention, Joe Burrow tried to recruit Gronkowski to Cincinnati before he retired in 2022. The tight end said at the time that he would want to play with Burrow because he reminds him of Brady.
Las Vegas Raiders
Speaking of Brady, could Gronkowski reunite with him again in Las Vegas, where the seven-time Super Bowl champion is now a part owner?
While the Raiders appear to be far from a contending team, Gronkowski could put that aside to play for his former quarterback and friend.
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