Rob Gronkowski ‘not ready to commit’ to another NFL season, despite Brady return

Free-agent tight finish Rob Gronkowski says he’s not sure if he’ll play this NFL season, regardless of the return of quarterback Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

“Proper now, I am not able to get again out on that area,” Gronkowski advised TMZ Sports activities. “I am not able to decide to the sport of soccer proper now.”

Final season, Gronkowski, 32, began 12 video games for the Buccaneers, catching 55 passes for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns. After Tampa Bay was eradicated within the postseason by the Los Angeles Rams Gronkowski mentioned he would take time to decide about returning to play in 2022. 

“I’m simply going to take a while, get my thoughts away from soccer for a few weeks,” he later advised Fox Information Digital. “You already know, let that call come naturally in a pair weeks. As of now, you understand, you may’t make the choices. Your feelings are simply flying so excessive, they’re up and down, particularly after a loss like that. It positively stings a little bit bit.”

Gronkowski, a five-time Professional Bowl choice, took half in a charity occasion with Brady over the weekend, the place the tight finish was throwing passes, not catching them, he mentioned. 

“I knew if I began catching some passes that my head would have began turning, like, ‘Oh, oh crap, I received to get again out on the sphere,’” Gronkowski added. 

Gronkowski, who’s having fun with his break day, famous that it’s a must to be 100% devoted to compete within the NFL on a week-to-week foundation – as a result of every season is a grind.

“Even in your 30s, I imply, you simply can’t simply slack it and simply be 50% all-in, then you definitely’re going to get caught off with the sport, and it’s going to only spit you proper out,” Gronkowski advised the outlet. “You’ve received to be totally devoted. I’m not prepared to do this but, so I’m not gonna signal a contract if I’m not totally prepared.”

After 11 NFL seasons, Gronkowski has simply put collectively a first-ballot Corridor of Fame resume enjoying alongside the best quarterback in league historical past. When Brady made the transfer to Tampa Bay in 2020, Gronkowski got here out of retirement to affix him, they usually received one other Tremendous Bowl collectively.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight finish Rob Gronkowski, left, and quarterback Tom Brady have a good time after defeating the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the NFL Tremendous Bowl 55 soccer recreation Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Picture/Ashley Landis)

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Brady introduced his retirement from the NFL in February earlier than the quarterback ultimately determined to return again for an additional run with Tampa Bay. 

Gronkowski, a four-time Tremendous Bowl champion with the Buccaneers and New England Patriots, mentioned he did not assume Brady was going to return again so quickly. 

“I knew he was going to return again, however I did not assume he was going to return again this 12 months,” the tight finish mentioned. “I believed he was gonna come again in like a 12 months, you understand, spend a while along with his household.”

Tom Brady #12 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers react after a landing throughout the third quarter within the recreation towards the Carolina Panthers at Financial institution of America Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 
(Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Pictures)

“He isn’t carried out man let me let you know,” Gronkowski added. “The man is 44 and … does not seem like a day over 23 when he is throwing the soccer round. It is simply unbelievable he simply slings it, it is all the time proper on the cash.”

Gronkowski mentioned he watched Brady throw passes to youngsters on the charity occasion, and joked that Brady’s arm received drained quicker in comparison with him. 

“My spirals had been a little bit bit higher than his, too,” Gronkowski joked. “However he [Brady] nonetheless has it, positively, little doubt about that. So it is good to see him again within the recreation, man. He is simply unbelievable how he is nonetheless rolling that robust.”

Fox Information’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report