NFL: Rob Gronkowski wants to unretire to play for the Buccaneers

[Reality Check]

I'd like to say Thank You to Gronk for saving the Lions GM from trading for him and calling his bluff towards Belichick.

Would have ended up no better than the Pat Swilling trade.

 

[OKOptimistic]

He had Disc Hernia earlier in college and during his NFL career so good for him his body probably told him to stop

 

[Voight]

Arguably the best TE ever or close to it, had he played another 5 years he would be the undisputed #1.

Such a. fun loving guy who just wanted to play football and party. Going to miss his personality, hope he ends up in Hollywood or somewhere we can still enjoy him.

One of THE most likeable players in NFL history.

 

[Voight]

 

[m9]

Echo everyone else - great career, HOFer.

 

[Tuggy]

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Great player, funny guy, will be missed.

I am happy for him that he can go out on top and relatively healthy. He suffered a LOT of injuries. Might be the best thing for him to leave now.

As a Patriots fan, I would have hoped he would have stayed for a few years, but, meh, BB will manage.

 

[tony d]

One of the better Tight Ends of all time, all the best to him in retirement.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

I feel like his peak was probably the best ever for the TE position but not sure you could call him the best ever given the lack of longevity. Hell of a career in such a short time.

 

[Avs_19]

Pats are going to get a fresh and healthy Gronk just in time for another SB run, aren't they?

 

[Ivan13]

The best TE to play the game in my biased opinion.

 

[Bocephus86]

His 2011 season might have been the best season by a tight end in NFL history.

My dynasty team weeps. Happy retirement, Gronk.

OT, but I think I read once that he never spent any of his contract money.

I remember reading/hearing this as well. Something his dad setup; basically (from what I remember), Gronk lived on side work/advertising contracts and all of his actual salary/bonuses went to a trust that was to be opened after he retired.

I know everyone likely knows this but I think it's worth adding it to the discussion about Gronk the player: He was an absolute beast in the blocking game, something that most other TEs even close to his offensive stats cannot come close to claiming.

 

[nickp91]

Gronk is gonna be electric in the WWE

 

[Tuna Tatarrrrrr]

He will be missed but smart and right decision for him. Thank you Gronk for all the memories and enjoy your retirement. I'm glad that you never played for another team (a rarity in the NFL and especially when you play for the Patriots).

 

[Terry Yake]

there was no other TE as physically gifted and hard to bring down as he was. unfortunately for him that's what led to his downfall

although i can see him coming back after a year off

 

[Voight]

His 2011 season might have been the best season by a tight end in NFL history.

My dynasty team weeps. Happy retirement, Gronk.

OT, but I think I read once that he never spent any of his contract money.

Yes, out of the 60 million hes earned as salary he hasnt spent a single dollar. He's lived off endorsement income for the last 9 years.

 

[Tuggy]

 

[YEM]

although i can see him coming back after a year off

I doubt it
a handful of rings + a bunch of $ + a series of injuries in his past=he's not pulling a Witten

 

[darko]

I feel like his peak was probably the best ever for the TE position but not sure you could call him the best ever given the lack of longevity. Hell of a career in such a short time.

He's not the greatest ever. That's Tony Gonzalez. Still, hell of a career for Gronk.

 

[darko]

there was no other TE as physically gifted and hard to bring down as he was. unfortunately for him that's what led to his downfall

although i can see him coming back after a year off

Yup. The only one that comes close is Antonio Gates. Injuries ruined his career.

I'll be shocked if he comes back.

 

[Il Mediano]

best I've ever seen....this coming from a Colts fan.

Still feel like he might play next season, though.

 

[Voight]

He's not the greatest ever. That's Tony Gonzalez. Still, hell of a career for Gronk.

Theres an argument to be had tho, Gronk peaked higher and has as many 1,000 yard seasons in 9 years as Gonzalez did in 17. Gronk is also a 4x 1st team All-Pro to Gonzalez' 6 in just more than half the seasons.

best I've ever seen....this coming from a Colts fan.

Still feel like he might play next season, though.

Can totally see a fully rested Gronk come back in Week 12 for the end of season/playoff run.

 

[darko]

Theres an argument to be had tho, Gronk peaked higher and has as many 1,000 yard seasons in 9 years as Gonzalez did in 17. Gronk is also a 4x 1st team All-Pro to Gonzalez' 6 in just more than half the seasons.



Can totally see a fully rested Gronk come back in Week 12 for the end of season/playoff run.

Gronk had the greatest season ever by a TE.

Gronk's career high is 90 catches. Something Gonzalez has done 5 times.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Gronk is also an elite blocking TE.

He's exceptional at every part of the TE position.

 

[DueDiligence]

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It'll be interesting to see how he looks after a year away. A 4th isn't nothing but at that price you have to do it.

It allows the Bucs to trade Howard for a 3rd. Bucs fans must be deliriously happy after this news.