Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement on Sunday, posting on Instagram that he was hanging it up while most of the sports world was watching Duke take on UCF in the Men’s NCAA Tournament.
The openness with which Gronkowski had talked about retirement before this has made many wonder if Gronkowski would come back, especially if he didn’t have to play a full season. And that’s something that his agent flat out said was possible on Monday.
Drew Rosenhaus on @GetUpESPN on Rob Gronkowski’s future: “If the team was struggling or they needed him at some point next year, and let’s just say hypothetically Tom Brady gave him a call and said ‘Rob, I need you.’ I wouldn’t be shocked if he came back to play a few games.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2019
Earlier in the 2018 season, Gronkowski revealed that he threatened retirement after a potential trade to the Detroit Lions was brought to his attention, and there was plenty of talk that he’d entertain a pro wrestling career after he hangs it up from the NFL. But some players certainly think they may not have see the last of Gronk on the field.
Golden Tate certainly thinks that Gronk could be back.
. @RobGronkowski when Tommy and Billy come calling week 13. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/HdSCHT972v
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) March 25, 2019
Plenty of Patriots players had love for Gronk.
The NFL’s official account shared one last message from Gronk at the Super Bowl.
.@RobGronkowski with one final sign off 🎤 pic.twitter.com/A08FH8Tl5m
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2019
This graphic was a bit odd, but the sentiment was nice.
One of the greatest ever… @RobGronkowski 👏 pic.twitter.com/6NE0VHMrKn
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2019
Other current and former players praised Gronk’s career as it currently stands.
Gronk one of the most dominant players to put on a helmet. Amazing career.
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 24, 2019
For the past 9 years, after each week, one of the first guys reception targets I would go watch was @RobGronkowski. Some stuff I would steal, other stuff only he could do. Incredible career and enjoy what’s next. See you in canton
👊🏻
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) March 24, 2019
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) March 24, 2019
Congratulations on a great career @RobGronkowski . One of the best
— Donald Driver (@Donald_Driver80) March 24, 2019
Heard @RobGronkowski retiring… I’d say happy to hear he did it on his own terms… minus the injuries in his career seems like that man Enjoyed everyday of his pro career #salute to one of the best TE’s ever to lace up pic.twitter.com/IAKMSWo7sh
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) March 25, 2019
That one time my coach told me to Press @RobGronkowski once we got in the red zone
Yea aight!
I was not trying to get thrown out of the club! 😂😂#Gronk
— Will Blackmon (@WillBlackmon) March 25, 2019
.@RobGronkowski what a career! First ballot HOF! Elite in both phases of the game. It wasn’t always the prettiest or flashiest but you set the bar for this generation of players for what it means to be complete and dominant at the position. Congratulations! Respect
— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 25, 2019
😢 gonna miss watching this big bruiser play TE…I kinda hope he changes his mind…but those surgeries & injuries take a toll…tip of the hat to a badass career… https://t.co/TKHgFxDhgv
— JoelDreessen (@JoelDreessen) March 24, 2019
Some loved the way he decided to hang them up.
POWER MOVE #walkaway https://t.co/xIME7QA4JH
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) March 24, 2019
Whether he comes back to the NFL someday might not be known, but what he’s leaving behind certainly puts him in the Hall of Fame five years after he’s finally done with football.
