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On June 21, tight end Rob Gronkowksi retired from the NFL. After mulling over whether or not to play another season, the four-time Super Bowl winner ultimately chose to step away from the sport.
Robert Griffin III spoke about Gronkowski on The Rich Eisen Show and said he thinks that the tight end will be back.
Griffin III said:
"This guy went from the WWE back to the NFL and won a Super Bowl, so I put nothing past him. I think that he's still a great player. He had 800 yards receiving last year, and was on pace to have another monster year before he got hurt and banged up there near the end.
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He continued:
"But Rob Gronkowski is one of one of my favorite players. I love the Gronk spike. I love his attitude, the energy he brings to the game. And I know him retiring, probably made a lot of fans, you know, sad because he's just such a fun player."
Griffin added that he thinks Gronk will pick up the phone when the Buccaneers call down the stretch.
"And I think, when Brady makes that call from week 12-13, he'll pick up and come back…. They've been a top-five red zone offense when Gronk is on the field. Brady hasn't thrown an interception in the last two seasons. You know, 66 touchdowns and zero picks in the red zone with Tampa Bay. And about 40 of those that come with Gronk being on the field, so he's a massive threat for them."
"He's a security blanket for Tom Brady. They've won four Super Bowls together, and I've said this before, I'll say it again, 'He's one of the greatest signings of all time. He's won four Super Bowls with Brady as Brady's tight end.' So I think Tom Brady will be making that call. It's not a matter of if, like you said, it's a matter of when.
Rob Gronkowski retired once and came back
On March 24, 2019, after nine seasons and three Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL, at 29 years old.
After sitting out the 2019 season, he returned the following year. On April 21, 2020, the Patriots, who still held his rights, traded him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The tight end played the 2020 and 2021 season with the Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV, alongside Brady. After two seasons with the team, he retired for a second time.
Many fans and analysts are skeptical about this second retirement because it only took a call from Brady to get the tight end into a Tampa Bay uniform last time. Many hope this will happen again, but as nfl.com columnist, Judy Battista, wrote "he walked away for the second time... seemingly less exhausted and more satisfied."
Only time will tell if we'll see Gronkowski suiting up again for the upcoming season.
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If you use any quotes, please credit The Rich Eisen Show and H/T Sportskeeda.
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