Rob Gronkowski: “I’m Done With Football”
July 12th, 2022
Tells reporters it’s over.
Foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski finally fielded questions from reporters about his retirement-maybe. And it seems as though there is no maybe.
Gronk is up in New England promoting insulated drink containers (?) and took questions from local reporters, including Mike Reiss of ESPN.
Gronk was discussing his transition from football player to businessman and in doing so he said, “I’m done with football.”
Later, Gronk was asked about his agent oily Drew Rosenhaus telling the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio, as well as Adam Schefter of BSPN, that he could see Tom Brady calling Gronk midseason and Gronk returning.
Gronk gave some weird, rambling answer about Rosenhaus and Gronk said, yes, he would take the call from Brady. But Gronk said he would tell Brady, “I wouldn’t go back to football.”
You can see the exchange in the video below.
Rob Gronkowski on his transition from football to business, and declaring he will remain retired even if Tom Brady calls … this morning at @iceshakerbottle event in Boston. pic.twitter.com/8pHAOufklX
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 12, 2022
July 12th, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Sounds like he ain’t coming back
July 12th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Sounds pretty final to me. Good luck Gronky.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:32 pm
What now?
July 12th, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Just as I said Day 1: Drew Rosenhaus was trying to freeze Tampa Bay capspace by stating that Gronk might come back. Rosenhaus was just trying to milk the last dollar out of Tampa Bay, in the forlorn hope that Gronk would change his mind. Anyone who fell for that shenanigan is apt to buy beachfront property in New Mexico.
It’s time for Licht and ownership to pony up the bucks for Odell Beckham, and sign one of the cheapo remaining free agent TEs.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
The Regular season Rams game did it to him. He was off to one of his best starts, and then broken ribs and punctured lung. When he came back he had to have been in severe pain and you know the defenses were trying to hit him in the ribs. Then watching the end of the Todd Bowles Bowl, he must have said, ok, that’s it, I’m done.
Good luck Gronk. Hope Camille doesn’t dump you for some other active football player.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
And that’s the game doug!! Ratz! Go Bucs!
July 12th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
Suh.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Go get best veteran TE available.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:45 pm
I agree with the Odell move and then we need at least one other vet TE (with some game) and please scrap together some coin for SUH!!!!
July 12th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
To me, there are two roads, if a Super Bowl championship is the objective:
1. Sign Odell Beckham. The munchkins will not be enough, and neither will be the free agent TE replacement for Gronk. And forget the rookie TEs, that hope is laughable. You can attempt to replace Gronk by creating the composite from two players: Odell plus a vet TE free agent (one that can block and catch maybe one to two passes a game).
2. Call up Dallas and Miami and see what it would take to land Dalton Schultz or Mike Gesicki. Both are tagged, neither have signed a contract extension, which might make them available. No, they won’t block like Gronk, but that ship has sailed.
July 12th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
I don’t know. That sounds to me like he is definitely coming back. Day one.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:04 pm
@BucNoles, please stop. Suh is not coming back. Suh not coming is more definite than Gronk not coming back, and I never thought once he announced, there was a chance he was coming back. So let it go. Love Suh, but he makes this team worse, point, blank, period.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
sounds done, but I don’t see an ounce of fat on him. ya never know.
that being said, you have to go get a TE (or two) now and please sign Suh.
get some cheap TE’s….but the D needs to help Brady this year, and they need Suh for depth, durability and nastiness. He is the Jensen of the DL.
Throw away the fade route to Gronk in the end zone, and give Scotty and the others some underneath routes.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Well, the man actually firmly said it, so I can now give up hope Gronk is coming back. If he ever does come back, we can cross that bridge then.
I hope Gronky enjoys football retirement and I wish him best of luck in his future endeavors. Man, he was an iconic football player, and I will miss screaming in joy watching him make huge plays and I will miss the Gronky spike!!
Now, let’s focus on THIS year and how to win another Superbowl. GO BUCS!!!
July 12th, 2022 at 1:17 pm
and please let Tom Brady write the play book.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Gronk sounds pretty dead serious when saying he’s done in this clip.
Ouch.
I was thinking he would be back for 1 last year with Brady and then they go out together – mainly based on what he said at that Tampa barbershop awhile back.
He may yet still change his mind and play – but it sounds like the Bucs should be assuming he won’t and move forward with whatever alternate plans or ideas they might have to try and ‘replace’ Gronk’s productivity. (yea – good luck with that).
Probably means sign or trade for an experienced TE who blocks and catches….
Love Brate – and I bet he has a good year – but Brate with 2 drafted rookies and a bunch of UDFAs in the TE room ain’t gonna cut it for 2022.
I have higher hopes for how the 2 rookies can contribute this year than some apparently, but you can’t count on them too heavily in this all-in / last year with Brady….
July 12th, 2022 at 1:20 pm
He was such a pleasure to watch ; but , he’s done & good for him.. Goatfarmer sums it up pretty well
July 12th, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Jesse James.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:24 pm
gronk is gassing heads
July 12th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
Well, sh**e. It doesn’t get more clear than that. I was holding out hope for a return.
JL has to have known the definitive nature of this retirement and is surely working behind the scenes to get another vet in here
July 12th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
He said he’s retired. Take his word for it. Now find something more worthwhile to obsess over.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
We have to move on with out the man… if he indeed comes back at any juncture it would be an extra bonus!!! Sign Beckham and Trey Flowers…. Lets go Bucs.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:53 pm
Gronk did the same thing to the Patriots. He waited until free agency was over, and screwed the Patriots in the process. Some of this is on Licht. He should’ve been more active in the free agent market. Now he’s over a barrel. Teams will jack up the price for any possible trade. They can’t go into the season with the current group. Like passing said, expecting much at all from the draft picks is wishful thinking.
The price for gesicki will be at least a first and a third. I doubt the dolphins would be interested in a first rounder in the late 20’s. Gesicki is a top 5 TE. Schultz probably wouldn’t cost as much, but again, what would the incentive be for the cowboys to deal him. They may loose both in FA, but both teams are all in this year. Licht would need to blow them away.
July 12th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Awesome now we can move on from the gronkaday articles. Has the season started yet go bucs
July 12th, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Good luck, Gronk.
You sound pretty final.
I’m privileged to have seen him fight in Pewter and Red.
July 12th, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Whatever…. thanks for one great year. And another where you gave it your all.
July 12th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Summer is pretty awesome.
July 12th, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Hopefully we sign Jared Cook before training camp starts… Kyle Rudolph is also still available but I would rather sign Cook over KR.
Hopefully Otton is full go for training camp. Brate, Cook, Otton and Kieft would be an OK TE group to roll with.
July 12th, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Stop with the Suh talk if nobody else signed him why do we want to sign him .
July 12th, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Right now, the Bucs have over $12.4 million available in team capspace, which is probably enough to sign Odell Beckham. If more money is needed, the Bucs could restructure Donovan Smith.
July 12th, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Nobody is replacing Gronk.
Cade Otton is replacing O J Howard- when healthy, Otton should be good in run game and a decent checkdown target. Brate will be the passing down TE.
July 12th, 2022 at 3:17 pm
In my opinion when Gronk retired so did our SB aspirations. He was that important. And TB12’s security blanket.
July 12th, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Cobraboy Says:
“I’m privileged to have seen him fight in Pewter and Red.”
————
Well said, and AGREED.
Good luck GRONK.
Man it was great to have you in TB.
July 12th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
brate could have a 68 catch year for 800+ yards…
imagine that
July 12th, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Show me the papers
The ones that start the clock ticking for Canton
July 12th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Now that Gronk has closed the door for the most part does Licht bring in FA Eric Ebron? Or does he pull the trigger on a trade?
July 12th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Passing, I’m all for OBJ. I don’t think they have enough weapons with the current group. I sure hope Licht has something up his sleeve. It’s most likely Brady’s final season. They should be all in. Superbowl or bust. They’ll have plenty of time to reset after Brady.
July 12th, 2022 at 4:06 pm
He plays the media all the time, still think he’s playing them now.
July 12th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
adam from ny Says:
July 12th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
Well that’s pretty specific. Why not 65, why not 70? 🤣🤣🤣
Also, I don’t thing Brate is really a threat to catch 4 balls per game and average 13+ YPC. Maybe 5 years ago.
July 12th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
It is hard to figure what Gronk will do when there is football on the tube.
I can see it getting to him, so he might wander in and add some more dimension to the offense.
If he wants to stay away, I will support that. It was great to have seen him here, but nothing lasts forever.
The two rookies, and Brate, will have good seasons, if BL pays attention.
July 12th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Ok, gotta work on ODB jr. No he’s not a TE but he is another veteran pass catching threat.
July 12th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Rob is done but we aren’t…..Gronk-a-day continues……
July 12th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
……….So you’re saying there’s a chance……!
July 12th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Has he filed his retirement papers with the NFL? That would most likely tell you how probable it is that he is coming back.
July 12th, 2022 at 6:29 pm
Cook, ODB, and Suh. Make it happen Jason.
July 12th, 2022 at 6:49 pm
Man, you guys and OBJ. He is coming off another major knee surgery, now 2 bad knees. Last year was a shell of himself. Only reason he did good was everybody but Tampa Bay was double covering Cupp.
July 12th, 2022 at 6:51 pm
Well said R.O. until the paperwork is signed don’t believe anything! These guys love the drama and their names in the headlines..
July 12th, 2022 at 7:02 pm
He probably sucks at poker based on that response. Gronk will be back, he just wants to chill early, preserve the body, and come back with fresh legs late. Just in time, when Brady needs him to have that SB winning mic drop retirement. They’ve already planned it together.
July 12th, 2022 at 7:20 pm
Expect a veteran TE to be added at the break of camp, can’t go this thin at a key position
July 12th, 2022 at 7:34 pm
Last season Brady came back in the game to throw a 500 thousand bonus pass for Gronk.
July 12th, 2022 at 7:51 pm
Move on!!!
July 12th, 2022 at 9:11 pm
I wouldn’t want any of you guys dating my daughter. NO MEANS NO
July 12th, 2022 at 9:27 pm
PLEASE DELUSIONALISTS: HE SAYS IT THREE TIMES HERE. “I’m done with football” “I’m done with football” “I wouldn’t go back there”. THAT’S IT. Now can we please accept it from the foot-rubbing horse’s own mouth, and get back to business?
Sign a starting TE. Immediately.
All of the wishful procrastination has put the Bucs months behind as it is, that should have been done EARLY in free agency or at least high in the draft.
There’s nobody on the FA list right now who’s worth more than a one-season band aid deal as it is, but renting a Kyle Rudolph or whoever is better than nothing.
Stand pat and there will be trouble. Brate/rookies will not get it done.
Some kind of trade for a legit NFL starter, not a backup, is something that has to be seriously considered if they don’t just band aid in a free agent.
July 12th, 2022 at 9:39 pm
Goof got Gronk. Loved watching him but I’m so glad to hear he’s coming tent with the next chapter in his life. Justbone thing marry her
July 12th, 2022 at 10:45 pm
@sparky, exactly! He’s still young can heal and come cheap….thanks for pointing it out. No rush! Bring him in slowly…its not hard to figure out.
July 13th, 2022 at 12:23 am
I think there’s still one last hope: when Gronk answered the question about, “What if Brady calls you,” Gronk when into that “gee, shucks mode” where, ya, he plans on saying he’s through with football, but that doesn’t mean Tom can’t talk him out of it; Gronk left that part out.
July 13th, 2022 at 12:44 am
Hey, Gronk, tell Camille goodbye to het career . The hottest she looked was that photo when Brady said h3 was coming back.
July 13th, 2022 at 1:35 am
Cody McElroy is going to catch a bunch of balls this year. He’s been in the system long enough and the Bucs protected him last year for a reason. They let Howard leave for Buffalo if JT brings in veteran because of external pressure he’ll be wasting money that could be used better elsewhere. I see a lot more 2 tight end sets this year to keep Brady clean and control the line of scrimmage. Kieft will block McElroy and Brate will run routes. If Gronk is ready for the footlights the Bucs will be ready for 2022
July 13th, 2022 at 11:34 am
All the internet estimates peg Gronk’s net worth at 45 million!!!
He is famous and wealthy and the last thing he would have to worry about is “Camille” looking for an active player. In fairness to GOAT I’m pretty sure he was just joking.
And yeah ribs and lungs and the rest are painful but why is everybody here ignoring the obvious? From the internet…easily googled..
What happens if you get 5 concussions?
The risks of sustaining multiple concussions are serious. Research has shown that people who have multiple concussions are at an increased risk of long-term impairment, such as forgetfulness, “foggy” thinking, difficulty concentrating, balance issues, difficulty focusing and trouble with eyesight.
Before he even arrived in Tampa Gronk told a NE press member he’s had at least 20 concussions and five of them were total knockouts.
Why did old boxers earn the description of “punchdrunk”. Seriously guys think about it!!! He’s in his early 30’s why would he want to be a veg at 50 or 60.
Have you guys seen Jim McMahon? He was a QB not a TE blocking beasts.
July 13th, 2022 at 2:12 pm
Brates best days our behind him.
July 13th, 2022 at 2:13 pm
No Gronk No Suh Maybe No Godwin Maybe No SB.
July 13th, 2022 at 2:36 pm
That multiple rib fracture and punctured lung injury was the nail in the coffin. That injury put his life in perspective. I really believe that scared the hell out of him and he probably said to himself “just finish the year” and retire. I don’t blame him. I wish him Godspeed.