Gronk Dream Isn’t Dead
July 21st, 2022
There’s a divide at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters when it comes to (retired?) Rob Gronkowski.
One Joe thinks yesterday’s signing of veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph means closing the door on Gronk as he transitions to his new life away from football. The other Joe thinks the Rudolph signing is nothing more than the Bucs adding a declining but capable veteran on the cheap before training camp and the door remains wide open for Gronk.
The contract number for Rudolph isn’t public yet, but if it’s in the $4 million range (Joe’s educated guess), that still leaves the Bucs with a fat pile of salary cap room to bring back Gronk in midseason.
Figure on Gronk earning about $700,000 per regular season game if he were to return. So if Gronk arrived during the bye week after the Bucs’ trip to Germany, he would bank about $4.9 million for the final seven games of the season.
Hopefully, the Bucs don’t need Gronk. Perhaps Cade Otton will remind fans of another rookie fourth-round pick tight end who thrived with Brady, Aaron Hernandez, and there’s a solid chance Rudolph and/or Cameron Brate will play to their capabilities. Also keep in mind the Bucs offense thrived with little tight end production in 2019.
But as long as the Bucs have salary cap room for Gronk and Gronk stays in shape, it’s going to be hard for Tom Brady, Jason Licht or anyone else to believe he’s 100 percent done.
There might be more unity on the Gronk subject at JoeBucsFan headquarters if Gronk held a retirement news conference in New England or Tampa, or scheduled a huge retirement party to benefit his foundation, or he shed a bunch of weight quickly like he did when he hung it up in 2019.
July 21st, 2022 at 8:43 am
Playoff Specialist
IF Brady is standing and the Bucs are looking at the post season
Loveable Lumbering Gronk WILL be back
Book it DanO
July 21st, 2022 at 8:51 am
I am almost sure gronk comes back for the last games of the regular season and playoffs. No way he stays behind when Brady has a good chance to win SB again.
July 21st, 2022 at 8:51 am
Gronk-a-day continues…..even a Gronk pic on a Lenny article……bonus!!!
July 21st, 2022 at 8:55 am
Suh.
July 21st, 2022 at 8:56 am
Agree with Joe, the one who agrees with me!
July 21st, 2022 at 8:59 am
Citing Aaron Hernandez? Wasn’t he a murderer? I guess if he could play a decent tight end, that doesn’t matter.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:02 am
NO more Gronk-a-day! We need Cade-a-day from now on!
July 21st, 2022 at 9:06 am
Sure, and OJ Simpson was one of the greatest RBs of all time. Joe isn’t advocating excavating Hernandez’s rotting corpse, he’s just making an analogy to a rookie TE who made an imact with Brady.
For what it’s worth, Hernandez was a first round talent. He fell in the draft due to well-regarded character concerns.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:07 am
We assume Kyle Rudolph is here to replace Gronk but maybe he’s here to replace Brate?
July 21st, 2022 at 9:12 am
It’s weird to think that Aaron Hernandez could’ve well been playing with TB and the Bucs right now if he had been able to leave his gangstar life behind him. We could be having Aaron-a-days right now. Imagine having Gronk and Aaron on the Bucs. That would’ve been insane.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:15 am
Kody… Hernandez was a self-inflicted tragedy. Best not even go there.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:17 am
I mentioned the “weight” tell a couple weeks ago. No way Gronk is going to get up to NFL weight or add enough muscle if he cuts to his previous retirement weight, to even seriously think about coming back.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:24 am
I am far more concerned about the Cowboys on opening day than I am about any addition to the team in November.
I have no idea if Rudolph has anything left in the tank, but the guy is a large human, has made two Pro Bowls, and had some significant success in the NFL.
And didn’t cost the team anything to acquire beyond a paycheck.
While he’s not Gronkowski, I do not doubt if Brady believes in him, Brady will make the guy very effective in the TE role, because he’s done it before.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:46 am
Gronk is gone hes not coming back unless its to Miami or Buffalo next year.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:47 am
Brady will make Rudolph a pro bowler.
July 21st, 2022 at 9:51 am
Brady is gonna love Otton
July 21st, 2022 at 9:53 am
The weight loss is what would convince me Gronk is really done. He still looks like he’s at or near his playing weight to me.
He’ll probably come back during the bye, but he’ll want 7 million for the last 7 games
July 21st, 2022 at 10:01 am
Suh & JPP in the rotation would be a better option right now then trying to bring Gronk back at mid season.
July 21st, 2022 at 10:14 am
Let the young guns take their shot, Gronk can come back and sea the deal later
July 21st, 2022 at 10:34 am
Of course gronks not ruled out. And Rudolph still has to make the team and stay healthy. One practice at a time
July 21st, 2022 at 10:37 am
I think the injuries are what got to him also. But if it looks like last year and players go down? If Brady calls he would come back if there was a chance in the playoffs for another ring. But not right now.
July 21st, 2022 at 10:40 am
When Gronk came back two years ago it took him a half a season to get back in football shape. Yeah, he did have the previous year off, but what makes one inclined to think he could just appear midseason in 2022 and be ready to go?
What’s he gonna do, get lit up after Frank The Tanking a keg or two at one of his Beach Blanket Bango Bongo Beach Party’s and simply decide he wants to play football again the next day?
July 21st, 2022 at 11:00 am
JA
Facts…. Can’t just step in late season thinking he’ll be the gronk from last year. This is the second retirement so maybe football is simply no longer a priority. They guys start playing as kids, time to enjoy retired life
July 21st, 2022 at 11:06 am
JA what makes you think you know everything he is doing while he is away? Oh that’s right. You are a personal friend of his and attend those parties with him.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:10 am
Wow some things are hard to let go of apparently. Gronk is gone. He said it twice and the 2nd time was an emphatic NO to returning. He’s gone and The Bucs shouldn’t leave a light on for him. This organization is looking forward.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:14 am
No means no means fellas, don’t let it get to a point Gronks’ gotta file an order of protection lol
July 21st, 2022 at 11:22 am
He Would not do that. Seems he can’t even file Retirement Papers lol.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:25 am
Even if Gronk does come back, you have to forget about him. If he comes back week 12-14 you still have to prepare those weeks without him. And if you don’t need him the better. GOBUCS!
July 21st, 2022 at 11:28 am
DBS—
It was a joke. Lighten up. Football is supposed to be a light hearted diversion from everyday life. Although I’d rather have him play, Gronk is entitled to do what he pleases with his life.
He echoed that same sentiment during our weekly book club gatherings while we were discussing the philosophical inclinations of Kant and Kierkegaard.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:29 am
Kyle Rudolph signing… discussion closed.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:40 am
When Gronk’s contracted to do commercials, or “goes-to-the-booth,” etc., they’re hiring “the Gronk persona,” and you would think he’d stay in football-shape, because of it.
But, with Gronk’s last retirement he seemed to have no problem losing weight and appearing as a front-office accountant, without the glasses.
However, Gronk also had no problem the last time, getting back in shape and coming out of retirement at full fighting weight.
But then, in his last interview, Gronk said that one of the things he likes about retirement is not always having to be in top shape to run routes flat-out at all times. Good point.
So, given the above, it’s not altogether clear whether if Gronk stays in shape is an indicator for his returning to the Buccaneers sometime in the 2022 season.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:47 am
Gronk no mas, con mucho Gronk a dias.
TBBF, I miss our Latino friend.
July 21st, 2022 at 11:58 am
@Ed
“When Gronk’s contracted to do commercials, or “goes-to-the-booth,” etc., they’re hiring “the Gronk persona,” and you would think he’d stay in football-shape, because of it.”
I certainly take your point Ed, but “football” shape is different than simply looking good on camera.
I’m the old dude here and so several years ago a Neurologist had me get a Catscan. Not because I had symptoms but to simply establish a baseline in case I DO get symptoms like Alzheimers or early dementia. We did this because of my age. I find it difficult to believe that a professional player and multimillionaire who plays in one of the world’s riskiest professions for turning into a veg doesn’t do the same thing…probably annually.
Does anybody know what Gronk’s Catscans are looking like these days. Hate to be the party pooper but the guy has enough money already and a personality that assures continued earnings as long as he wishes…as long as he can remember what freaking day of the week it is.
Having said that I did see Jim McMahon getting a line in an internet commercial for men’s “blue pills”. McMahon getting it up is not the problem its finding where to place it. Who the f wants to live like that?
July 21st, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Stop it.
“I’m done with football.” –Gronk
I’m going to interpret that to mean he’s done with football. All speculation to the contrary is total BULLSH!T.
July 21st, 2022 at 12:14 pm
Gronk who?
July 21st, 2022 at 12:15 pm
Dream isn’t dead, just on life support. Please pull the plug Joe.
July 21st, 2022 at 12:19 pm
Can we move on please? Joe is such a moron. Let’s focus on the defense for a while.
July 21st, 2022 at 12:23 pm
The morons here are the people the complain, It is a FREE site. YOU DON”T PAY. So who puts a gun to your head and makes you read this article?
July 21st, 2022 at 12:42 pm
One incumbent veteran tight end+ one drafted rookie tight end plus one signed veteran tight end minus 1 retired tight end equals daily articles about retired tight end. Would that be accurate?
July 21st, 2022 at 12:44 pm
DBS… no it’s not free
We have to suffer through posts like yours
July 21st, 2022 at 1:31 pm
Whoa whoa @joe don’t put the Aaron Hernandez mojo on case Otton lol
July 21st, 2022 at 1:47 pm
@DBS
You’re right!!! The morons are the ones like SB-LV and Eriktheviking who find ANY little thing to complain about when like you said they could always just exit the site… More than likely not even BUCS fans and just here to start problems, but surely just keyboard gangster’s that wouldn’t have that same energy if in person…
July 21st, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Criticisms of the content and excessive repetition are legitimate. Remember the Johnny Football obsession? Maybe the Joes have OCD. I can’t figure it out, but they get locked in and beat something to death, and then they beat it some more. Gronk is retired. But wait, maybe he’s not… But no, he just re-affirmed it… But wait, his girlfriend doesn’t totally believe it… Gronk affirms he’s “done with football”… But wait Good Morning America doesn’t believe him… Jeezus Flercking Kreiste, if you don’t have a problem with this idiocy, you must be brain damaged already.
He’s retired.
Find a new subject.
July 21st, 2022 at 2:42 pm
It doesn’t matter.
July 21st, 2022 at 2:53 pm
The point is that reading the Gronk articles aren’t required reading, for a class or for a job. It is completely voluntary. Nor is it required reading for receiving a “good buc fan award”. If you want to read it. Fine. If not. Don’t. But frankly, getting all steamed up about an article that Joe writes about Gronk is pretty pathetic. And trying to tell Joe what articles to write and what not to right is, is even more so. Last think I heard, this site was owned and operated by the Joes. How in the world did we get to the point where we think we have the right to tell businesses how to operate, other than to vote with our eyes or our dollars for their success? When did we start believing we know more than doctors, and other professionals, who had undergone years of training, experience, and education? Bizarre. That KYbuc, is the very picture of being moronic.
July 21st, 2022 at 2:56 pm
^ I’m a reader. I have a right to express an opinion about the content. STFU.
Also, I enjoy taking a dump on the heads of people who are dumb enough to be suckered into the retire/unretire/retire/unretire horseshyte… Just watch phouecking TMZ if you want celebrity nonsense news.
July 21st, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Welcome to joegronkfan.com!
July 22nd, 2022 at 11:20 am
I think the only way Gronk comes back if a TE gets injured (Rudolph or Brate)