Rob Gronkowski Says He’ll Return If Bucs Sign Julian Edelman
May 2nd, 2022
New angle.
The mystery of the summer won’t be seen in movie theatres, in bookstores or on Netflix.
The mystery follows a certain future Hall of Fame tight end. Everywhere Bucs foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski goes where there is media, he is asked the same question.
“Are you coming back to the Bucs this year?”
Gronk always gives the same reply, a variation of, “I’m not sure but if I do it will only be with the Bucs.”
Joe thinks that’s Gronk’ being polite and not saying, “I friggin’ hate training camp.” Joe is guessing Gronk will be back with the Bucs in late August.
This weekend was “Gronk Beach” at the famous Encore Beach Club at the Wynn Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Gronk, the master of ceremonies, was going wild. He even got a bigger reaction from the packed house than did his Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covergirl girlfriend Camille Kostek.
(Last week NBC announced Kostek will host a truly awful-sounding show “Dancing With Myself.” No, it’s not what you think.)
While living it up in Vegas, Gronk was cornered by Sports Illustrated. Yes, they asked him about playing this season and this time Gronk had a little different answer. He basically said if the Bucs want to ensure he plays this fall, then Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht must sign his former Belicheats teammate, receiver Julian Edelman.
“If Julian [Edelman] signs with the Bucs right now, I’m coming back,” Gronk said in the Sports Illustrated video (see below).
Now Joe has to tap the brakes here. Gronk has been known to fool with reporters and give them absolute jibberish. And who knows how many beers/cocktails Gronk had in him when he did the interview?
Joe thinks Gronk is stretching this out because he doesn’t want to go through training camp. Joe has no problem with that and understands Gronk’s reasoning. He wants to preserve his body.
Joe’s lone worry with that is the kind of shape Gronk would be in when the season starts? Gronk sure didn’t look in shape when he first signed Tampa Bay and it showed for weeks. As the season wore on, Gronk got in better shape and more and more became a (dangerous) weapon. The Bucs have a nasty schedule this year so they need an in-shape Gronk from Week 1.
“If Julian [Edelman] signs with the Bucs right now, I’m coming back for a whole other year.” — @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/LImZJ9zK79
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 1, 2022
May 2nd, 2022 at 2:26 am
How about we sign Nadamukong Suh and call it done. I’m over gronk–he’s a pain in the ass.
May 2nd, 2022 at 2:36 am
Bye Gronk.
May 2nd, 2022 at 3:19 am
Bucsfan “ha”
May 2nd, 2022 at 3:57 am
Sign Edelman!! I think that would keep both Brady and Gronks interest and we might actually have a chance at winning another one. Otherwise this could be the start of another lost decade.
May 2nd, 2022 at 5:04 am
I agree with Joe on this call. If out of shape, what good are you with the schedule we will have.
It’s called training camp for a reason.
May 2nd, 2022 at 5:09 am
If it’s about preserving his body, then why can’t they just insert a “no hitting in training camp” or “mandatory 2 days of rest per week” clause into his contract and be done with this charade?
May 2nd, 2022 at 5:42 am
I guess we wouldn’t need Licht with Brady & Gronk filling the roster but what about the salary cap. It seems these ex patriots are starting a retirement place of their on in Tampa and the Bucs may foot a lot of their expenses 😂
May 2nd, 2022 at 5:46 am
Don’t be like this Gronk
May 2nd, 2022 at 5:48 am
The way Gronk said, “… a whole other year…” makes it sound as though a partial year has been on his mind. I’m surprised that Joe didn’t find this interesting!
May 2nd, 2022 at 5:49 am
Gronk is toying with the reporter.
May 2nd, 2022 at 6:24 am
Love Gronk, but in less than 2 weeks he’ll be 33 years old. He got beaten up pretty good this past season, and only played in 12 games … and he was in fairly good shape I’d imagine because he went through training camp. He had his best season since 2017 when he made All-Pro, catching 55 balls for 802 yds, 6 TDs plus 34 1st downs in 2021. And all that in only 12 games. Impressive IMO.
What was even more impressive was that Gronk gave us 634 offensive snaps in those 12 games. That puts him on the field for slightly over three-quarters of the game … and most of that was presumably blocking (he was targeted 89 times, which is only 1 of every 7 snaps he was out there).
Bucs drafted TWO TEs who are both supposedly good blockers. I’d imagine that they’ll take some of the load off Gronk. But still, he’ll surely end up doing quite a bit of blocking once again. Gronk’s value isn’t in his presence; it’s in his production, both catching AND blocking. My guess is that skipping training camp at age 33 will diminish his productivity considerably.
May 2nd, 2022 at 6:25 am
Needs to have both feet in the boat.
May 2nd, 2022 at 6:29 am
Didn’t we just draft a new #87 😉
May 2nd, 2022 at 6:31 am
No thanks. If Julian had anything left he’d be on a roster.
Thanks for you contribution the last 2 seasons Gronk. Party on! This team is on a mission; we need guys who are all in.
May 2nd, 2022 at 6:38 am
He’ll be back.
May 2nd, 2022 at 6:50 am
Gonk needs to take a pay cut if he doesn’t want to sign for training camp…..no special privileges …….
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:07 am
He’s joking. It’s just Gronk being Gronk
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:14 am
Gronk is trolling because Edelman has little to no cartilage left in his knees lol
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:19 am
When you look at the bigger picture, something is irking me. I love the Bucs, Brady and Gronk but these power plays that many of the top athletes (or those who think they are top athletes-see Baker Mayfield) are doing is imo getting out of hand. “I’ll sign if only you’ll sign Edelman” “I’m not playing even if I am under contract” and so many other examples. This all is getting more than a bit too much. The power pendulum has moved a little too much towards the players side now. Does anyone here feel like I do ?
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:24 am
It was clearly a leading question. From what I’d heard I had assumed that he said that of his own volition when being asked about returning to the Bucs for this season. Reporter kind of threw the whole Edelman thing in there. Whatever, doesn’t mean anything.
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:30 am
We have around 15 mil in cap with pinion gane
Gronk will be back. He is still working out with the best of them for a reason
Suh not sure on. I think suh will have to take a sweeter deal to return
Make suhs more incentive laden as playing less snaps is prolly what bucs are looking at. And if he plays more snaps cause of injury or Hall struggling then he gets more
Sucks to see saints making another push for mathieu
Was thinking their safety position would be light
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:33 am
The Bucs can hire Eldeman as a receivers coach, Welker is a good coach right now. The Bucs only need Gronk being healthy after Thanksgiving.
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:40 am
He is just trolling here, obviously.
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:40 am
Gronk didn’t bring up JE…the interviewer did. Its a total joke. Folks get all amped about everything these days–and Joe likes clicks. Well done Joe you got us-
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:48 am
me thinks Gronk is done. drafting a punter and saving a few mill makes me wonder though.
it’s either him or Suh.
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:57 am
Bye bye then !
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:03 am
Yeah Leighroy it’s actually funny how Joe I has created a belief out of thin air about training camp. Now, based on Joe’s fantasy world, Gronk will be out of shape when the season starts. You are 100% right Leighroy. If Gronk said I will come but only if I don’t have to attend training camp Licht would greet him at the door with the contract addendum and a pen to sign it.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:03 am
@ Elita Vita Says
I totally concur with what you said. The tide has turned and the players are now dictating the rules of engagement.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:05 am
Honestly not sure I agree with Joe or others saying that Gronk’s productivity would suffer if he misses too much of training camp.
But even if that is the case for me it is more important his HEALTH for the playoff’s and how successful he will be in the playoffs. I think he showed productivity especially blocking in both years including the playoffs.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:06 am
THIS GUY IS in great shape he has been working out , not sure where the out of shape came in, He was banged,, people relax up pretty bad last year and just healing
he NEVER said he would not sign just playing the camera and of course bucs fans ready to kick him out cause we love 20 years of sucking
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:14 am
Gronk has no right to make such a demand. The Bucs need to move on. We will be just fine without him. It’s time to get younger players at the tight end position.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:16 am
Edelman was a Super Bowl MVP and wide receivers rarely get that recognition.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:17 am
Gronk is the man and hope he comes back with Suh for one more push for a ring. Go Bucs!
Would be awesome as hell for our draft picks to be mentored by two first ballot HOF players too!
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:18 am
Hoping Gronk is feeling well, healthy, and ready for one more last rodeo with TB12 and the Bucs.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:18 am
The guy was great while he lasted
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:34 am
I love how the media takes the bait. Hook , line and sinker.
Gronk is just being Gronk.
The Bucs did up the leverage on Gronk’s salary demands during the draft.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:35 am
Sh– or get off the pot, Gronk. It’s getting old. Once an athlete is done, their relevancy has a short half-life. Happens to every ex-athlete. Brady knows that. Lebron will find that out when he retires. Gronk is not going to be a movie star.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:38 am
Lmao Gronk is having fun and god love him for being his best self! Go Bucs!
No need to be upset, Gronk won us a SB with 2 tuddies, and almost got loose for a third. I hope
He’s back, and it’s great to see awesome players be themselves and have fun. If he retires, so be it, if he comes back hell to the yes
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:45 am
The Bucs know if Gronk is signing. If you don’t think he was playing with the reporter then you are thick.
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:54 am
I guess Joe has now stooped to fake news to get people to read their website.
Nice Job JOE !
May 2nd, 2022 at 9:00 am
Obviously most of you have not followed Edleman’s career. He is a tough SOB and next to Jerry Rice he is the most clutch playoff receiver to play the game. I couldn’t fathom how a DC could game plan against Lenny, Evan’s, Gronk, Godwin, Gage and Edleman. Unstoppable. He maybe retired but Pat’s may own the rights to him, if not and his knee is better he would be a $2.5M home run. One year go for broke SB or bust.
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:11 am
My advice to Gronkenstein. If he does not want to go through training camp and that is it, then he should come back some time in training camp to give his body a rest from the off-season program yet have a couple weeks to get into football shape by the end of camp.
Now, do I think the Bucs will sign Edleman? Even if they would, does Edelman want to come back and play?
Campy answer, I know.
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:12 am
Troll shenanigans…
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:15 am
He’s joking. He knows this offense and knows the guy won’t work out here.
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:30 am
Goodbye Gronk. Edleman is not going to be signed by Bucs. But then again, Brady gets what he wants. I know he’s in Licht’s ears about this…
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:39 am
Edelman is toast. Took more hard hits than Gronk. Gronk knows how to get free advertising. We wouldn’t be talking about him and his girlfriend if he was signed. Let the 2 new TEs have the reps in training camp. Save Gronk for the games.
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:51 am
Edelman hasn’t really expressed an interest in returning to play. He has a bum knee… and if you google him, you’ll see he just in recent days shut down the idea of ever playing for the Bucs or any other teams, saying “I’m a one team guy.” He’s not signing with the Bucs and Gronk was just playing hypotheticals and being an entertainer.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:03 am
The reporter fed him Julian’s name and hypothetical of him joining the Bucs. Chill out people. Gronk just ran with it. The first problem in this theory is that Julian himself is content with retirement – at least as of the last time he was asked about coming out of retirement.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:04 am
Gronk is replaceable!…
move on from his non-sense…
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:10 am
Buc fans so sensitive they GUY IS JOKING AROUND they already tell him to leave when he is joking.. !!!!
relax people and stop acting like before them we were a place people wanted to play. Uneducated buc fans always lookin to run people out of town
JOE stop posting things like this , reading responses would make me not want to return to this uptight fan base..
Gronk is having fun and will return when he is done , he doesn’t like or need camp
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:11 am
“I’m done with Gronk”
“Move on from Gronk”
Why? Because “reporters” keep asking him the same question and your dumbass keeps clicking the stories? He’s a Hall of Famer, Brady’s favorite target, and a locker room favorite, on what planet is getting rid of him even remotely smart? I’m used to reading lousy takes here, but anyone who wants to get rid of Gronk is a fool.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:11 am
What a crock of sh!t. Bucs will not sign Edleman. He answered that loaded question about Edleman joining the Bucs. No one needs to get their panties in a twist.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:35 am
No the Bucs need a sound secondary for week 1.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:38 am
Everyone relax. Everything Gronkowski has said over the last drunken party filled week is not serious.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:38 am
Jules doesn’t have any cartilage in his right knee. If he could play, it would be for the Patriots. He’s a Bill guy. Even if Gronk returns, can you really count on him? It’s almost an assurance he’ll miss significant time. I’d just hate to see the same Gronk centric offense from last year. You had about a month long stretch, where he was the only guy Brady truly trusted. I fear if he returns it’ll stagnate the offense. When healthy, he’s a huge security blanket for Brady, but sometimes that’s not a good thing.
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:51 am
Oh, Gronk! You never cease to entertain. Of course this had to be a joke because Edelman is retired, has stated many times he would only play for Pats, AND his knee is shredded. Having said all that, IF JE can still play, the chemistry he had with Brady in NE cannot be easily dismissed. I’m sure it’s all just a joke, though…right?
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:52 am
Gronk is tired of being asked that question.
May 2nd, 2022 at 12:34 pm
This is pretty misleading…
The reporter is the one who asked him first about coming back if JE was signed too…
So I put 0 stock in that answer lol.
He will be back. After training camp. Just like we’ve all speculated.
May 2nd, 2022 at 1:00 pm
We love you gronk can’t help wait to see you beast up again
May 2nd, 2022 at 1:08 pm
The three amigos ride again? I would love to witness that again in the playoffs!
Fans in Detroit love any Michigan product that reach the playoffs. We felt the pain of Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders early retirements! Most of us were cheering for Matt when he got out of Detroit. A lot of Detroit fans want the owner of the Lions to be traded and would certainly buy a pink Lion bumper sticker saying “Trade the Owner!”
May 2nd, 2022 at 1:12 pm
This is dumb. Gronk will be back, Edelman will not be signing with the Bucs and reporters who keep asking stupid questions will keep getting stupid answers.
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Every one chill … GRONK IS PLAYING THE MEDIA. They can’t ask intelligent questions so why give them an intelligent answer?
GRONK will be back and Bucs will have an awesome 2 and 3 TE set.
The dude likes to have a good time. He’ll be back for as long as Brady is around.
May 2nd, 2022 at 7:44 pm
Isn’t it interesting how everyone knows, yet each of you knows something different? Seems that’s all this site is. I’ll just wait and see… Maybe everyone should do the same. But then, if you did who would coach the team? lol
May 2nd, 2022 at 8:41 pm
If Edelman could play, he might reunite with GOAT, but he can’t. Not with his knee. So Gronk is messing with everyone.
They have no choice but to begin preparations without him. That is why they had to devote,er, waste, two draft picks on TE. It’s still not clear what happens at the position if Gronk stays out.
May 2nd, 2022 at 9:47 pm
Would be hella boring if I went and read this 1 minute article and nobody had any thoughts or comments on it. I appreciate the regular posters in this site who bring some spice
May 2nd, 2022 at 10:13 pm
Belicheat you say. You are the biggest dixk I’ve never met. I noticed you won’t dear add Brady into that equation and how quick one forgets that he was suspended for four games on deflategate. Point is, if you are going to bad mouth the greatest NFL team in history and play judge and juror, then start in house first!
May 2nd, 2022 at 11:31 pm
Calm down nutjobs, he’s just having some fun.
Also, if that’s what he wants, if it’s Tyler Johnson or Edelmen, well guess what, you find room for Edelmen.
But he was just having some fun you creeps.
May 3rd, 2022 at 4:52 am
These comment sound like a bunch of jilted lover. If he doesn’t want us we dont want him. Of coarse we would want him back.
May 3rd, 2022 at 5:29 am
If Gronk and Edelman come back u can bank on another Super Bowl. I’ve been a Patriot fan since 1982. Steve Grogan and Tippet days.
May 3rd, 2022 at 8:40 am
Father Time is undefeated, and I’m worried Gronk’s production will take a nose dive. He struggled mightily against the Saints and Rams. As much as it hates for me to say this, I’m also worried about Brady. He’ll be 45 in August. I’m worried about his declining arm. The velocity on some of his passes were really bad. I can’t stand to see the GOAT look like Manning and Marino in their final seasons.
May 3rd, 2022 at 11:56 am
You are onto to something here Bucfan13. But don’t speak to loudly. A lot of crazed Buc fans believe Brady can play forever. He’s only one serious hit away from a Nursing home. He is starting To slow down considerably. I just hope he can last thru the season. God knows he is being provided with all the toys and tools he needs on Offense. I THINK HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED RETIRED. bUT WE SHALL SEE.
May 3rd, 2022 at 1:51 pm
All of these sorry A** patriots fans coming on a Bucs site and posting is hilarious. Don’t you have your own site to debate on the Strange pick at #29?!
May 3rd, 2022 at 4:12 pm
Gronk will be signing a 2 year deal per him at himself he told a fan that participated in his Subway promotion that I attended in Vegas
May 3rd, 2022 at 5:34 pm
Esteban. I agree 👍🏽 I can’t stand a fake fan !! I don’t know why they don’t root for their own team?? If was a Patriot fan I wouldn’t accept them back on my site because they ain’t real ..
May 3rd, 2022 at 7:52 pm
Bucsfan13 Says:
“… I’m also worried about Brady.”
.
.
I wouldn’t worry nearly as much about Brady if BA and Leftfoot weren’t asking him to biscuit riskit 50 times a game. Hopefully we make a serious effort at creating a run game this season.
May 3rd, 2022 at 7:58 pm
Our Bengal owner/boss Paul Brown always said “Everyone is useful, but nobody is necessary”! So, Don’t ever think your not replaceable! Go Bucs and Go Bengals!