Jason Licht On Rob Gronkowski: Return Not Ruled Out
February 1st, 2022
Says Bucs TE undecided.
The common belief among Bucs fans, and Joe shared this opinion, is that if Bucs quarterback Tom Brady retired, so too would tight end Rob Gronkowski.
After all, Gronk has never known a starting quarterback as a teammate in the NFL other than Brady. And it was Brady who lured Gronk out of retirement so the Bucs could trade for him.
Gronk is a free agent and in his best Belichickian way, did not offer up any hint to his future plans and said he is open-minded to playing with a quarterback other than Brady.
In tonight’s rare press conference by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, when asked if Gronk is gone now that Brady is gone, Licht’s face squished tight like he smelled someone passing gas, shook his head and said Gronk’s future with the Bucs is undecided. And if Gronk wants to come back, Licht said the Bucs would love to have him.
That’s not to say Gronk will return but Licht said the ball is firmly in Gronk’s court.
“I don’t suspect that,” Licht said of Gronk closing the door on a Bucs return. “I think that’s yet to be seen.
“I’m giving Rob the respect to give him some time to see how he feels here in the next coming of weeks after a long, grueling season. When you played in the league for 11 years, you need a little time to think things through to see if you want to go through with it for another year. From my conversations with Rob, he just needs that.
“I don’t think it’s going to be dependent on whether Tom came back or not from what I understand and I know that Rob had an incredible experience here as well. He was a big factor in us having the success that we had. We would welcome Rob back with open arms, but we’re giving him his space right now to decide on what he wants to do.”
If the Bucs are going to craft a team around a quarterback of lesser means so that in tough times the team can carry the quarterback, as Licht suggested the Bucs might just do, having a stud tight end who can block and catch as well as Gronk would be a major asset. Whether Gronk wants to return to announcing and rasslin’ remains to be seen.
Joe wrote the following earlier today but for those who enjoy reading between the tea leaves, Sunday on her Instagram stories account, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit covergirl Camille Kostek, Gronk’s significant other, showed Gronk hanging around the condo wearing a Bucs T-shirt watching football.
On Saturday, Gronk and Kostek attended Gasparilla and Kostek was wearing a Bucs coat with her pirate costume. Later that day, Kostek (presumably with Gronk) attended a Gasparilla party with several other Bucs players and their WAGs. Earlier last week, Gronk and Kostek attended a dinner with roughly 10 or 12 other players and their WAGs in a south Tampa eatery for dinner. So the two have close relationships with teammates and their wives/girlfriends.
February 1st, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Gronks words when he came to the Bucs were that he only wanted to play if Brady was his QB. I guess we will see if he still feels that way.
GO BUCS!!!!
February 1st, 2022 at 8:10 pm
One more year with Gronk and we will be competitive again.
February 1st, 2022 at 8:11 pm
His FB post sure made it seem like he’s not coming back. So that throws TE drafting into the mix. Theres some good prospects out there.
February 1st, 2022 at 8:26 pm
No way he comes back without Brady and basically he isn’t coming back if we can’t get a good quarter back
February 1st, 2022 at 8:37 pm
I’ve maintained all along that Gronk may not retire this time. Gronk likes money, and he’s probably saved his career earnings. He even stated that he lives off of his endorsement money.
Gronk retired in New England as he was physically battered, and you could see it plainly on the field. After Belichick tried to trade him, Gronk had enough and retired.
He’ll be back if the price is right, but I don’t think Tampa Bay should shell out another $8 million for his services. The Bucs have younger free agents that should be a priority. Having him around might help next season’s QB transition, you’re going to lose a much younger player, most likely Carlton Davis who is the only legit CB on the roster.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:22 pm
Jimmy G has said his goodbyes today to SF. So if the Bucs can trade for and sign JimmyG, there might be a chance to keep Gronk.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:27 pm
If Gronk does leave the Bucs will have zero impact players at tight end. Tryon has size and speed. If he has good hands? Might be worth a Tryon tryout. Haha.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:29 pm
Gronks waitin to see what the hell we do at QB. He probably gonna have to have some assurances we are going after a vet that can win. I don’t blame him.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:33 pm
Jittery G says “I want to go some place where they want to win”. This on the day that TB12’s retirement can be interpreted as a criticism of a lack of a winning culture. Interesting times.
February 1st, 2022 at 9:41 pm
Kirk Cousins is a solid option, if boring, and Brad Johnson-like.
I’m seeing new rumors and articles about the Bucs going after “the big ones”, which suggests Trask is not ready.
Gird yourselves, but Aaron Rodgers could really dig Florida and freedom. He’d certainly have receivers and weapons, and an offense suited to gunslinging.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:12 pm
Rodgers don’t make sense unless we are talking 1st rd pick for their 2nd…he could quit ilon us the next year he’s up there in age…
I think honestly I hate to say this but Winston at a discount makes sense…
Watson definitely makes sense..Carr no Bridgewater ehhh..I like Matt Ryan here..no to cousins..yes to wilson…
Watson
Wilson
Winston
Ryan
Rodgers
Carr
Bridgewater
In that order unless I forgot a name
February 1st, 2022 at 10:12 pm
Gronk just asked his mom to put his football pants away.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:17 pm
His mom can put away his football pants, he’s done. I think he’d rather go into the HOF with his best pal Tom than get his ribs broken again catching a pass from Gabbert.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:22 pm
I’ll take Watson I’m forgiving
February 1st, 2022 at 10:31 pm
It’s great that Gronk didn’t pick a Horseyfaced Bulltrix who likkes to order goats around.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:42 pm
Ill go OJ over gronk moving foward.
Gronk $8m 1yr
Oj $8m 3yr
First 3 yrs of oj 500yds 5-6 td a yr. Last two yrs 100yd 0-1 td ( of course he was injured ) but in arians scheme TE dont exist. Gronk did —>brady.
February 1st, 2022 at 10:45 pm
Gronk may retire and wait for another chance. If he will retire, I believe he and Tom are planning to go some team at the middle of the season.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:03 pm
Give me a break.
Gronk is a goner, unless he for some reason needed the money. In any case he’s not under contract, so he could go wherever he wants.
If the Bucs can’t get Rodgers, Wilson or Watson, then just go to the rebuild, get the cap cleaned up, and let’s worry about keep the young guys and winning in 2023.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:12 pm
Never know which way the winds will blow. Winston back here? Anything can happen. Arians may like having Gabbert and Trask around. But trust me, He knows. He gotta go after Somebody who can win some games.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:15 pm
Gronk is healthy, having fun…..and I think his girlfriend likes the NFL world….it’s possible he comes back….but no likely.
Deshaun Watson…..are you kidding me……
If Jameis got suspended for 3 games….for a “hassle” with an Uber driver….then Watson should get 3 years.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:16 pm
SIGN JIMMY G. While I’m all for letting Trask eventually get his shot….it would be idiotic to throw a complete unknown out there now. Jimmy G can get you to a Superbowl with this roster.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:22 pm
Licht is garbage
February 1st, 2022 at 11:23 pm
Gronk will retire and go into the hall with the Goat
February 1st, 2022 at 11:27 pm
I could see him going for one last payday, definitely he would consider coming back for much more money on a one year deal
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:07 am
Deshaun Watson !
GoBucs!
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:56 am
This would be a big bonus for any quarterback they go with but Trask especially
February 2nd, 2022 at 12:58 am
TROLL ALERT-
T REX
LICHT just built the most dominant 2 your stretch in Buccaneer history and put together a Super Bowl winning team yet this pseudo fan is claiming he’s garbage. T-REX is either a troll or one of the more ignorant people when it comes to football on this website
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:01 am
ADRNAGY
OJ?!?!?
He was a complete waste of a draft pick. He is a bust. There is no way they re-sign him. They need to let him walk. He was supposed to be Kyle Pitts coming out of college he ended up being a waste of a uniform and he can’t block. No thank you.
If they can get Gronk from one more year he’s 100 times more valuable. Heck, most rookie tight ends will be more valuable
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:38 am
Save The Licht House….draft McBride
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:23 am
Prediction – Tom and Gisele will drive each other crazy from spending way too much time together and GRONK and TOM will be both be back!
Or – Give me Watson, Wilson, Jimmy G, Cousins, Trask. In that order. Hell no to Winston, F that guy and the Saints.
February 2nd, 2022 at 1:27 pm
T Rex. “Light is garbage “. Who brought us Evans, Marpet, Jensen, Capps, Wirfs, Lenny, Godwin, JPP, Vea, Suh, Shaq, White, Davis, Winfield, BA, Gronk and Brady ???
Fill my truck with that garbage.
February 2nd, 2022 at 11:11 pm
We’re literally, STILL, the reigning Super Bowl champs — and people are saying Licht is garbage? LOL!