The Mystery Of Rob Gronkowski
April 29th, 2022
“Gronk, do I have to hire Camille to work with my production company to get you to come back?”
Outside of Camille Kostek, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covergirl and long-time girlfriend of Bucs foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski, probably know one knows Gronk and his Bucs future better than Tom Brady.
Gronk has given many interviews since the season ended three months ago and has always said he isn’t sure he wants to put his body through another long season of punishment. That is why he retired for a year after the Belicheats beat the Rams in the Super Bowl in February of 2019.
But Gronk clearly hasn’t closed the door on returning. There were reports he worked out twice weekly at One Buc Palace until his contract ran out officially in mid-March. Last week, photos surfaced of Gronk working out with beastly Titans running back Derrick Henry.
So it is obvious Gronk has yet to throw in the towel. He has said repeatedly that if he does play this year, it will only be for the Bucs.
When Brady granted an interview to something called “Complex” recently to pitch his new golf clothes, Brady singled out several teammates including Gronk. But Brady added this: “I’m hoping Gronk comes back to play.”
For background, the last edition of “Man in the Arena” was about Brady winning the Super Bowl with the Bucs. The docuseries is produced by Brady’s Hollywood studio and airs on BSPN+.
There, Gronk was one of three narrators. The other two were Brady and his father, Tom Brady, Sr.
Brady and Gronk each detailed how Gronk agreed to come out of retirement to follow Brady to whatever team he chose. At the time, Gronk and Brady only knew it would not be New England.
So Joe has a hunch if anyone knows Gronk’s plans, it is Brady. And given how Brady said he “is hoping” Gronk plays, it seems not even Brady has an idea whether Gronk will suit up again.
Joe has a hunch that Gronk doesn’t want to go through training camp. Joe can’t blame him.
So Joe would bet we see Gronk back with the Bucs in mid-to-late August.
April 29th, 2022 at 4:22 am
90% of what Brady says is the truth. Brady knows and he is.
April 29th, 2022 at 5:56 am
I expect a late signing just before preseason. I simply cannot envision this team without Gronk.
April 29th, 2022 at 6:28 am
Only thing that sucks is no reassurance before draft
Unless there was verbal “yah ill be back”
Cause afraid its pushing bucs to make trey mcbride their pick
April 29th, 2022 at 6:39 am
Gronk probably wants to avoid any training before the real season
April 29th, 2022 at 6:39 am
he will play…. he will be there when needed….
April 29th, 2022 at 6:46 am
Miami
April 29th, 2022 at 7:09 am
Use the 7th round picks for Tight Ends.
April 29th, 2022 at 7:30 am
Even if he plays Bucs need to consider a TE, I can see Brady & Gronk retiring together so they enter the HOF the same year.
April 29th, 2022 at 7:54 am
Isaiah Likely
Would put a smile on my face.
Lumbering Gronk could be on “play off reserves “
April 29th, 2022 at 8:04 am
That Colorado State TE would be a good pick for us……would be a replacement for Gronk next year and would receive a great deal of playing time this year…..
Looking for a player that contributes…..it could be him.
April 29th, 2022 at 8:23 am
Mid August sounds good to me! This is different than when he took a year off and was put into a new offense. I imagine him having very little or no decline as a result of him missing most of training camp.
All good here!
April 29th, 2022 at 8:29 am
We should target McBride regardless if Gronk comes back or not. Gronk is beat up. He’s not playing every snap. He can rotate this year with McBride and when Gronk retires after this year we have our TE1 ready to go. There is a big drop off at TE after McBride. The rest are just average at best.
April 29th, 2022 at 8:29 am
I will be very surprised if he is not coming back……
Nevertheless I would love to get Greg Dulcich……That will be his replacement fot the future….I love this kid, he can catch, and he can block
April 29th, 2022 at 8:54 am
Honestly, I think he’s done. Maybe a late season signing. Week 12 or thereabouts. He’ll be ready for the eventual Super Bowl.
April 29th, 2022 at 10:33 am
Why take second best at any position? We need a Tight end regardless of Gronk. Gronk = not signed and old, Brate = old OJ Howard = gone! Take the best available instead of second or third best CB, DT, DE, DB etc. Would not trade back again. Take best player available not second, third,or fourth best player available etc because of need only. TE is a need and Best Player available. I believe Suh will be back and Tryon is heir to JPP spot.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:01 am
You draft under the assumption Gronk isn’t returning. To do otherwise would be negligent. TE is definitely a target tonight.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:02 am
The sweet spot is right after OTAs and before Mandatory mini-camp if Gronk indeed reutrns, but its fair to say he’s had a pretty busy offseason outside of football. Same for Suh, especially considering he’s home dealing with two, abnormally large twin toddlers, probably running the score up on both their parents’ pedometers lol
April 29th, 2022 at 11:05 am
Dulcich is a good receiving TE but is not a blocking TE. With McBride you get both which is very important to the Bucs. There is a clear difference in what your getting between the two.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:54 am
I agree with the sentiment that we need to be looking at the future with or without him signed.
April 29th, 2022 at 11:59 am
Even if he comes back, can you really count on Gronk? I understand they are all one hit away, but Gronk has always had trouble staying healthy. During the games he missed last year, the other tight ends combined for 10 catches on 29 targets. That’s putrid production. Brady relied on him far too heavily last year. The offense became incredibly Gronk centric. At the very least, the bucs need some insurance. Your TE production can’t disappear, if he misses significant time. It makes the offense much easier to defend.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Brady may well know Gronk’s intentions (most likely he already knows) but he won’t blab it to the world before Gronk can do it on his terms. Brady ain’t Adam “shifty” Schefter for Pete’s sake. Lol
April 29th, 2022 at 1:16 pm
I think that Gronk will be back, and that he’ll skip as much of the offseason workouts as possible.
One caveat: If you see the Bucs drafting a TE, or trading a pick for a TE, then Licht isn’t confident about Gronk’s return.
April 29th, 2022 at 1:41 pm
I wouldn’t rule out a mid season return either. Brady and Gronk don’t need the work. Symbiotic is that word that comes to mind. If and when he returns, it’s about having him fresh and healthy for the playoffs. He looked old and slow against the Rams, and dropped passes. It looked like he didn’t wanna get hit.
April 29th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
I think is obvious that if Gronk is having fun, he’ll play. If he’s not, he won’t.
Training camp and off season stuff isn’t fun.
Also in that Man in the Arena episode, Gronk said he can not play for 7 months, show up, and it’s like he didn’t miss a minute. Humm, lets see… season ends in February, which is the 2nd month of the year, then you had 7, and you get… 9, which would be September!