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- Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL earlier this week
- A report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz confirms that Gronk’s retirement decision is final
- The star tight end has no intention of returning to the field
Rob Gronkowski called it a career earlier this week, opting to hang up the cleats after 11 NFL seasons. The star pass catcher was one of the best to ever play his position (even if some disagree), and he and Tom Brady teamed up to create one of the most potent duos in league history.
Gronkowski won four Super Bowls with the Patriots and Bucs. He went to five Pro Bowls and was one of the league’s most exciting players to watch. Now, he’ll take that big personality elsewhere.
He’s mentioned his intention to pursue things outside of football. That could involve acting. We’ve already seen him on the big screen in commercials. He might also get into broadcasting, following the path of many NFLers before him. There are likely some other business plans he’s been working up over the last few years, too.
While many weren’t necessarily shocked by the retirement announcement, some were skeptical that he’d really be calling it quits for good. We appear to have gotten some confirmation on that today.
NFL Insider confirms that Gronk’s retirement is final
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, who broke the news of Gronk’s retirement, has essentially confirmed that the tight end is not planning on making a return to football.
Rumors started almost immediately following his announcement, and even Gronk’s agent was saying that he wouldn’t be surprised if he returned later this season.
In reaction to Rob Gronkowski’s news, his agent Drew Rosenhaus texts: “It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call. This is just my opinion but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 21, 2022
But Schultz nixed this idea in an interview with Pat McAfee on Thursday. Here’s what he had to say.
“When I talked to him before I put the news out, and I said, ‘Are you sure this is what you want? Is this it?’ He said he really does feel content… Over the last 10 years, he’s been through a lot from a health standpoint. When he came out of college, he had a broken back… He’s been injured multiple times. He had a ton of issues with head injuries, and I think he really does feel content.
“He’s going to pursue other opportunities outside of football, investing. I asked him, ‘Hey, if Tom calls week 10 and says, ‘I need you, baby,’ what do you say to that?’ I got the sense that the answer remains no.”
The health issues appear to be the biggest driving factor. And Gronk has pretty much achieved all that he can on the field throughout his Hall of Fame career. There’s no real need to risk his future.
Of course, even Schultz, a good friend of Gronkowski’s, left the door slightly cracked for a return. He says he wouldn’t be “shocked” by a return. For now, though, it certainly seems that we’ve seen the last of Gronk on the football field.