TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 23: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
If Rob Gronkowski is feeling “kinda bored”, these three NFL teams would welcome him into the fold with open arms — just in time for playoffs.
It doesn’t take much for Rob Gronkowski to stir unretirement rumors, something the future Hall of Fame tight end knows all too well.
So when Gronk said he was feeling “kinda bored” on Twitter, the pleas to rejoin the NFL came pouring in.
Of course, it’s incredibly unlikely that Gronk will actually return to the NFL, something Fox Sports’ Greg Auman supported when he said that “he’s just playing everyone.”
Last week, Gronkowski admitted on USA TODAY’s “Sports Seriously” that he could definitely help Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the red zone, but there’s no way he’s coming back for a third NFL stint.
“I’m just not playing,” Gronkowski said, throwing his hands in the air. “That’s not a possibility.”
Gronkowski’s shut down unretirement rumors all year, so why stoke the fire with a cryptic tweet? If there happens to be any part of Gronk who wants to join a Super Bowl run in time for playoffs, here are three teams that could use his legendary talents.
3 teams Rob Gronkowski could come out of retirement to join
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are the most obvious choice, and Gronkowski has spoken at length about how he could specifically help this team score more frequently.
“I could definitely help out, more in the red zone, about 35-yards plus outside of that end zone,” Gronkowski told USA Today. “I could definitely give them more of a boost right there.”
It’s true: since 2020, the Bucs have been more successful in the red zone when Gronk was playing than when he was off the field. The difference this season has been staggering, and there’s no one in Tampa who has the chemistry that Brady and Gronk share. With Gronk able to anticipate Brady’s rapid-fire decisions and his ability to distract multiple defenders on every play, Gronk is what Tampa Bay is missing.
He’s said over and over that there’s no reunion in sight, but fans can keep dreaming that he and Julian Edelman will answer the call from Tom if the Bucs make playoffs.