MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leaving the light on for star tight end Rob Gronkowski, but he remains deeply conflicted about whether he’s going to return for an 11th season, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus said here Thursday.
Will Rob Gronkowski return to the NFL or retire?
“He hasn’t decided yet,” Rosenhaus said at the Miami Dolphins’ training complex, attending the introductory news conference for another of his clients, Tyreek Hill.
“I talked to Tampa yesterday, and I told them that he’s still undecided,” Rosenhaus added. “I don’t know when he’s going to make a decision. He told me he needs some time to figure out whether he wants to play. I don’t have scoops for you guys on that right now.”
Rosenhaus added that Tom Brady’s decision to un-retire is likely helpful for those who want to see Gronk continue to play.
The Buccaneers “have offered the opportunity for Rob to come back,” Rosenhaus continued. “I think he’s honestly undecided.”
Gronkowski is a true free agent. His market value is $9.5 million annually, according to Spotrac. So for the Buccaneers — who are right at the max cap number as it is — to bring him back, they will need to get creative with their accounting.
Gronkowski battled injuries in 2021, but he still caught 55 passes for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns during the regular season. In his career, Gronkowski has 92 receiving touchdowns and 9,286 yards on 621 catches.