The Rob Gronkowski Decision
April 8th, 2022
Torn.
So as Joe has detailed, Bucs foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski told Jimmy Kimmel he isn’t sure if he wants to get beaten up for 17 weeks again (not counting playoffs) and that is why he hasn’t re-signed with the Bucs yet.
We have all seen the video of Gronk in a Tampa barbershop saying he would probably return. Most fans believe it, too.
Voice of the NFL Network, Rich Eisen, who also hosts a sports talk show on Peacock, sympathizes with Gronk. Joe is of the mind Gronk just doesn’t want to participate in OTAs and underwear football. Eisen thinks it may go a bit deeper.
Eisen threw out the thought that Gronk may not even want to deal with training camp. Gronk wouldn’t be the first guy to do that. Michael Strahan comes to mind. Like Gronk, Strahan played in the trenches and the wear and tear on his body getting pounded was too much.
Joe remembers Gronk’s brother saying after the Belicheats beat the Rams in the Super Bowl, that Gronk was so beat up his brother had to hold him up at a urinal just so Gronk could take care of business. Gronk couldn’t even stand by himself. Gronk retired within days, but of course he came back when Tom Brady came calling in 2020.
Yesterday, Eisen discussed whether Gronk will return this season. It seems as though Eisen believes he will but Eisen clearly would understand if Gronk throws in the towel on his football career.
Come on, there’s no way Gronk isn’t coming back this year, right??@RobGronkowsi was on @jimmykimmellive and talked about if he’s thought about joining @TomBrady for another season in Tampa:#NFL #NFLDraft #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/49QRdFAkEc
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 7, 2022
April 8th, 2022 at 4:27 am
McBride somehow, regardless of gronk decision….best TE by far in the draft.
April 8th, 2022 at 4:36 am
I can’t believe Gronk is even thinking about it. He doesn’t need the money and he doesn’t need the ring or the glory. He’s still a young man and hopefully he won’t need anyone to help him piss again for a long while. I love the guy and selfishly hopes he comes back for one last hurrah but if he were my brother, I would be telling him to hang up the cleats.
April 8th, 2022 at 5:44 am
I’d be happy for Gronk to come back but I’m already done with the “will he won’t he” stuff.
April 8th, 2022 at 5:49 am
There are a number of TEs the Bucs should look at on day 2 or 3. I don’t believe a TE will be selected in the first round.
McBride CSU (2nd rd)
Wydermeyer TX A&M (2nd-3rd rd)
Dulcich UCLA (2nd-3rd rd)
Woods UVA (3rd-4rd)
Rogers OSU (day 3 blocking TE)
Otton Wisc (day 3 blocking TE)
If Gronk doesn’t return, the Bucs will need a 2nd TE this year, so they should keep their eyes open for potential UFAs also. Bucs need to look for a TE in 2023 or 2024, Michael Mayer (2 yr starter already) will be a junior at ND and was better than McBride.
April 8th, 2022 at 6:43 am
What has to tug at him is father time says in another year or two he won’t be able to play regardless
April 8th, 2022 at 6:52 am
he would not have gone on jimmy kimmel and talked all that, if he wasn’t coming back
April 8th, 2022 at 6:53 am
Yeah, I think everyone knows his strategy and they’re all okay with it. He will show up at the last minute. BUT, if the Bucs draft a tight end in the first or second round, that might indicate no Gronk.
April 8th, 2022 at 7:05 am
Bucs will draft a tight end on day 2
Gronk will return but next year we will have nobodies and brate who is past his prime
April 8th, 2022 at 7:25 am
He has nothing to prove a boat load of $ and a sweet young Philly go enjoy life before you so crippled up you can’t.
April 8th, 2022 at 7:28 am
He is working out on the side and he’ll begin catching balls from Brady, let him do the Strahan gig.
April 8th, 2022 at 7:31 am
Translation, he’ll be ready for the last 1/3 of the season
April 8th, 2022 at 7:35 am
We’ll need to draft at least one TE, and Light may find a late round UDFA like Auclair. i like Jake Ferguson the Wisconsin TE. Guy can block and run the seam route. That’s pretty Gronkish right there. lol
April 8th, 2022 at 7:48 am
As an A&M fan, I would be elated if Bucs drafted Wydermeyer as he is a BEAST!
April 8th, 2022 at 7:53 am
Look…if these idiotic reporters would stop asking him every 15 minutes…it’s a non story. They are looking for this exact conversation. Gronk said roughly a month ago that Tom made him wait to know…he’s going to make Tom wait…in his usual joking way. He never would have said that if he had any thoughts of not coming back. The same people that think Gronk isn’t coming back…are the same people who were 100% sure Tom wasn’t coming back. Remember those guys!? TOMS NOT COMING BACK…GET OVER IT BUCS NATION WAAAAH😭. To the guy that told me that…get back in your electric car ALONE…put your mask on…drive away and stfu
April 8th, 2022 at 9:01 am
He holds all the leverage….Brady wants him back, the Bucs will accommodate Brady, so Gronk can take his time. He’s already proven to his teammates and coaches he’ll come in prepared and give 100% until he cant physically do it. It wont shock me if he’s playing in another year or two, especially if he can do so with Brady in Miami. The Gronk in Miami with Brady would be a heck of a finish to their careers, especially watching them battle the Pats head on 2x.
April 8th, 2022 at 9:25 am
Gronk is in an unusual situation where he can choose to come back a week before the season starts and he’ll be accepted with open arms. As long as he and the Bucs are on the same page no harm. Doesn’t appear the Bucs are worried being that they haven’t even taken a sniff of any other TE’s in Free agency. It doesn’t effect the draft because they are going to draft a TE either way.
April 8th, 2022 at 10:02 am
I really think this was all decided a long time ago. They wouldn’t have let OJ go if they thought Gronk wasn’t coming back.
April 8th, 2022 at 10:08 am
Gronk has logged a massive amount of collisions in his career. That shot he took to his ribs would have likely killed me. Not only does he play walking wounded, but his athletic ability to avoid some of those collisions is waning as well. If he does come back, hopefully they will find a way to limit the amount of punishment he will have to take during the preseason and regular season.
April 8th, 2022 at 10:16 am
We’re drafting a TE, maybe 2. Not being able to count on Gronk kinda sucks… so I think they should plan as if he’s not coming back.
April 8th, 2022 at 10:16 am
Gronk prob on cycle right now and wants to avoid any testing chance. I would also say his entire contract is connected to a Tom Brady extension. Until Tom agrees to an extension or decides if he’s going to Miami in 2023, this will impact
Gronks deal. Gronk only wants a 1 year deal and will go wherever Tom goes.
I also think Julien Edelman or another weapon will sign a cheap deal in 2022, as Gronk, Tom social media presence have been hyping Edelman catching balls etc and looking to return.
April 8th, 2022 at 10:36 am
That brutal hit he took in the first Rams game is what he’s referring to. Had that not happened he’d be signed already.
April 8th, 2022 at 10:57 am
It’s possible the team would benefit if Gronk didn’t play the first 9 or 10 games. Return to practice for two weeks and then play in game 11 or 12. Have 5 or 6 games to get into the flow and be much more fresh when the playoffs begin. Brate, a mod round TE and McElroy or a free agent can get the job done in the regular season. If it cost the Bucs a win, might still be worth it to have him full speed in January.
April 8th, 2022 at 11:03 am
“We’re drafting a TE, maybe two.”
Hahahahahahahaha. Maybe another TE UDFA like Brate.
April 8th, 2022 at 11:04 am
July 31st, he’ll suddenly become re-energized and inspired.
April 8th, 2022 at 11:11 am
I’d rather for Rob to stay retired whether than come back and not be into it. He is getting up there and injuries have taken their toll on the guy. He’s having reservations which means, he really does not want to play.
April 8th, 2022 at 11:26 am
You play with the players you have.
April 8th, 2022 at 11:44 am
He’ll be back after the draft, count on it.
April 8th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
I’m just glad that Gronk was athletic and aware enough to narrowly avoid having his knee taken out in the 2nd Saints game. That bounty collection attempt by the Saints safety was a close call that would have ended Gronk’s career.
A couple Saints defenders surely got nice bonuses for their brutal take-out hits on Godwin and Fournette…
It was fairly obvious to me that those black and gold bastaads were doing their damndest to injure our best players. Presumably as ‘pay back’ for White’s tackle of Winston in the first meeting (that I’m pretty sure was not intended to injure Jameis.)
April 8th, 2022 at 3:22 pm
I love Gronk. Such a huge personality, amazing TE.He’s given us plenty of great years to watch. Would love to see him play one more season, but if his heart and body aren’t up for it, the fans understand. Go make some lil Gronk babies with Camille.
April 8th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
Let’s not forget he had multiple cracked ribs and a punctured lung last season and he toughed it out after taking a couple of games off!! Gronk is a BEAST!!!! And should come back this year to add to his Hall of Fame legacy!!!! One more season Gronk .. COME ON MAN!!
April 8th, 2022 at 6:27 pm
@Bruce Blahak
The best tight end in this draft isn’t saying much.
Ducks head into contact as run blocker.
Needs to keep working feet for positioning after contact.
Inexperienced as an outside zone blocker.
Takes inconsistent angles in attempting to secure the lane.
Yeah what we need is a bigger Brate.
April 9th, 2022 at 9:08 pm
Agreed, if they weren’t sure that Gronk’s coming back, Howard would still be there.
And, hopefully, Tom can put-in some serious time working with Gio this year; some solid “3rd & short” plays worked-out could be huge in moving the chains; less wear n’ tear on Chris Godwin, too.