Former NFL star tight end Rob Gronkowski recently spoke to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about a return, according to a report.
Per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times the four-time Super Bowl champion contacted the Buccaneers about a return to football. But the 33-year-old Gronk, who announced his retirement for a second time back in June, decided against returning.
“The Bucs had several conversations with Gronkowski around Thanksgiving about him possibly reuniting with quarterback Tom Brady to help the struggling squad secure a playoff berth.
Gronkowski told the Bucs he had been working out. He and the club discussed several options, including signing the 33-year-old to the practice squad to give him a couple weeks to get back into football shape, although they were willing to add him to the active roster.
In the end, Gronkowski decided to remain retired for now.”
Head coach Todd Bowles stated “It was more of a conversation than anything else”, per Stroud, and that he simply “didn’t think much of it at the time.”
Gronkowski announced his first retirement after winning a third Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots in the 2018 season. After one year away, however, he decided to reunite with Brady in Tampa Bay by orchestrating a trade from New England.
The future Hall of Famer led the Bucs to a Super Bowl 55 championship in his first season with the franchise. Last year, Gronkowski recorded 55 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns, leading Tampa Bay to their first NFC South division title in 14 seasons.
