Rob Gronkowski Fantasy Stats

Retired tight end Rob Gronkowski called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Thanksgiving to tell them that he was "bored" and wanted to return to the NFL, as The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reported in December. Gronkowski also said that he'd consider returning for a full season in 2023. That could play a factor in where quarterback Tom Brady, who is scheduled to be a free agent, lands in the offseason. The 33-year-old Gronk obviously stayed retired this year, but it sounds like there's a chance he comes out of retirement for a third time. If he does, it would likely only be to play with Brady again. The five-time Pro Bowler had 55 receptions on 89 targets for 802 yards and six touchdowns in 12 regular season games for the Bucs in 2021, but he also dealt with several injuries that caused him to miss five games.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski won't return this season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gronkowski and the Bucs had been discussing a potential comeback. However, he will remain retired but did "leave the door open" to play next season. Although the veteran's best days are behind him, he did total 15 touchdowns in his two seasons in Tampa Bay, so dynasty managers should keep him on the roster, at least for now. Of course, depending on if and where Tom Brady plays in 2023-24 could also be a factor in Gronk's future in the National Football League.

Free-agent tight end Rob Gronkowski said he was "bored" and contacted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month about a possible return. Gronkowski told the team he had been working out and the two sides discussed several options, including signing him to the practice squad to give him a couple weeks to get back into football shape. In the end, Gronk decided to remain retired. "Usually, when you have to think about playing, you probably don't want to play. When it's just a discussion, I didn't think much of it at the time," head coach Todd Bowles said. The 33-year-old suffered fractured ribs and a partially punctured lung early last year and ended up missing four games, eventually finishing with 55 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Rookie Cade Otton and Cameron Brate will continue to split tight end reps in Tampa with Gronk retired.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to move forward without Rob Gronkowski in their future plans. The five-time Pro Bowl tight end returned to the Bucs in 2020 after sitting out the 2019 campaign. There were rumors that Gronkowski might return again this season, but it doesn't look like the Bucs plan on bringing him back. Now, the Bucs will lean on Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolph as their primary tight ends. They also have youngster Cade Otton waiting in the wings. Fantasy managers who are holding onto Gronk in hopes of his return can go ahead and drop him for an active player.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kyle Rudolph figures to inherit the bulk of Rob Gronkowski's workload this year. Rudolph played 48 percent of the offensive snaps for the New York Giants last year and is smart, durable and versatile; he's the perfect Y or in-line tight end who can run block and catch passes. The Bucs also seem prepared to give Cameron Brate a larger role to help make up for the loss of Gronk's 55 catches, 802 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. Rudolph only caught 26 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown in the Giants' bad offense a year ago, and in the end, he might just be keeping the seat warm for one of the team's rookie tight ends. Both Rudolph and Brate might have better seasons in 2022 for Tampa, but the two of them figure to lower each other's ceiling, making them inconsistent touchdown-dependent tight end streamers.

Retired tight end Rob Gronkowski said that he will remain retired from professional football, even if Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady calls him to try and persuade him to come back in 2022. "I would answer, obviously, the greatest quarterback of all time," Gronkowski said. "Ask him how he's doing. Tell him I'm going good. But I wouldn't go back to football no." Gronk's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that it wouldn't surprise him if Gronk returned to the gridiron, but as of right now, Gronk doesn't have the itch to return. The 33-year-old's body has taken a beating in his 11 seasons in the NFL, but in his prime, he was one of the best tight ends of all time. With O.J. Howard now in Buffalo, Cameron Brate should have a much bigger role in Tampa if Gronk indeed stays retired.

Free-agent tight end Rob Gronkowski said that he is retiring. The 33-year-old will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after winning four Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and also earning a spot on the NFL's 100th Anniversary Team and the 2010s All-Decade Team. Gronkowski made five Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro four times in his nine seasons with the Patriots, and he finished up his NFL career the last two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching 100 of his 166 targets for 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns in 28 games. In 11 NFL seasons spanning 143 games, Gronk put up an astounding 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns for the Patriots and Bucs. Cameron Brate just became a lot more attractive as a high-end TE2/low-end TE1 target in fantasy with Gronk not coming back.

Free-agent tight end Rob Gronkowski remains unsigned and isn't expected to sign before mandatory minicamps from June 7-9, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are optimistic that he will re-sign before training camp begins in late July. The 33-year-old remains undecided about his NFL future, and the Bucs are giving Gronk all the space he needs this offseason to decide whether he wants to continue playing. With quarterback Tom Brady unretiring, it seems highly unlikely that Gronkowski would play for another team if he decides to keep playing. He'll continue to be an injury risk if he returns, but Gronk was valuable as a mid-range TE1 in 2021 in 12 regular season games, catching 55 of his 89 targets for 802 yards and six touchdowns.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said it's "status quo" with free-agent tight end Rob Gronkowski, who remains undecided about whether to play in 2022. Bowles said there is no timetable for Gronk to make a decision. The 33-year-old tight end is in no rush to make a decision, but if he does come back to play another season, it'll almost certainly be with Tampa and quarterback Tom Brady. If Gronk does decide to hang them up, though, the Buccaneers would be set to roll with Cameron Brate as their starter at the position. They also drafted Cade Otton in the fourth round of this year's draft to back him up. Most folks expect Gronkowski to make a decision on his playing future this summer around training camp.

Free-agent tight end Rob Gronkowski said that he's not ready to prepare for the rigors of another NFL season just yet, but he also has yet to rule out a return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski missed five games with a rib injury last year with Tampa and finished with 55 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns. The 32-year-old clearly doesn't want to participate in an offseason program and could wait until the start of training camp this summer to make a decision on whether he'll play in 2022. If Gronk plays this year, it'll almost certainly be with the Bucs and quarterback Tom Brady. He'll continue to be in the TE1 mix, but his lengthy injury history will make him a risk/reward selection.