February 25, 2025
Four-time Super Bowl Champion tight end
Rob Gronkowski is considering a return to the NFL, according to Cecil Lammey of DenverSports.com. The 35-year-old worked with Broncos head coach Sean Payton at Fox, and if he returns, Denver is likely a top destination for the five-time Pro Bowler. Gronkowski entered the league in 2010 and played nine seasons with the New England Patriots before retiring in 2019. He came out of retirement in 2020 and played two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Overall, he has compiled 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns in 143 career games. This report should be taken with a grain of salt until further news comes out about the situation, but there's no doubt Gronkowski would carry fantasy football intrigue if he returns to the field in 2025. It would be a surprise if he's still a dominant pass-catcher, but he could carve out a significant enough role to make an impact in his 12th NFL season.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Cecil Lammey - DenverSports.com
January 18, 2023
Retired tight end
Rob Gronkowski called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Thanksgiving to tell them that he was "bored" and wanted to return to the NFL, as The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported in December. Gronkowski also said that he'd consider returning for a full season in 2023. That could play a factor in where quarterback
Tom Brady, who is scheduled to be a free agent, lands in the offseason. The 33-year-old Gronk obviously stayed retired this year, but it sounds like there's a chance he comes out of retirement for a third time. If he does, it would likely only be to play with Brady again. The five-time Pro Bowler had 55 receptions on 89 targets for 802 yards and six touchdowns in 12 regular season games for the Bucs in 2021, but he also dealt with several injuries that caused him to miss five games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dov Kleiman
December 25, 2022
Tight end
Rob Gronkowski won't return this season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gronkowski and the Bucs had been discussing a potential comeback. However, he will remain retired but did "leave the door open" to play next season. Although the veteran's best days are behind him, he did total 15 touchdowns in his two seasons in Tampa Bay, so dynasty managers should keep him on the roster, at least for now. Of course, depending on if and where
Tom Brady plays in 2023-24 could also be a factor in Gronk's future in the National Football League.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
December 23, 2022
Free-agent tight end
Rob Gronkowski said he was "bored" and contacted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month about a possible return. Gronkowski told the team he had been working out and the two sides discussed several options, including signing him to the practice squad to give him a couple weeks to get back into football shape. In the end, Gronk decided to remain retired. "Usually, when you have to think about playing, you probably don't want to play. When it's just a discussion, I didn't think much of it at the time," head coach Todd Bowles said. The 33-year-old suffered fractured ribs and a partially punctured lung early last year and ended up missing four games, eventually finishing with 55 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Rookie
Cade Otton and
Cameron Brate will continue to split tight end reps in Tampa with Gronk retired.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
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