We haven’t seen Rob Gronkowski on an NFL field since January 23, 2022. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl champion sat out of the 2023 season, retiring for a second time on June 21. Gronk has faced non-stop questions about whether he’ll ever return to the NFL ever since.
Now that Tom Brady, the only starting quarterback Gronkowski has ever played with, has also retired, the chances of Gronk returning have seemingly gone down. Yet, he has also opened up about being enamored with catching passes from Joe Burrow in the past.
Plus, Gronkowski will still be just 34 years old this season, and tight ends often play into their late thirties before calling it quits. Having hauled in 55 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, it’s not like Gronk didn’t still play at a high level the last time he took the field.
Yet, those hoping to see the future Hall of Fame tight end return to the NFL won’t get their wish. Gronkowski recently said as much while speaking to TMZ.
“There’s no chance anymore. I’m happily retired.”
Rob Gronkowski closing the book on his NFL playing career
But Gronkowski is still competing, and it’s not just on the beach with Tom Brady and Julian Edelman. Instead, Gronk has apparently taken up pickleball, and he’d argue he’s gotten quite good at the new, to him, sport.
“I’m happily retired. I’m still competing, I’m still winning, so I don’t even need to go back to football.”
If this wasn’t Rob Gronkowski himself, we don’t know if we could believe these quotes, but he’s a unique character, and his words are as real as they come.
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