Rob Gronkowski Retiring From Tampa Bay Bucs, NFL For 2nd Time

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski told NFL fans Tuesday that he is retiring from the game at the age of 33 — his second retirement, after he left the New England Patriots three years ago.

Questions about Gronkowski's future with the Bucs first came to light June 9 when he failed to show up at the mandatory training minicamp for the Bucs at the AdventHealth Training Center.

The speculation was confirmed Tuesday afternoon when the team announced that the four-time All-Pro tight end was hanging up his cleats.

Gronkowski leaves football as arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history.

Gronkowski won four Super Bowls in his career with the Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 11 seasons, he compiled 621 catches, 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns.

During his Patriots heyday, Gronk had four seasons of 1,000-plus yards and five double-digit touchdowns campaigns.

He was just selected to the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Gronkowski announced on his Instagram that he will once again retire from the NFL after 11 seasons.

"The journey in Tampa over the last two years has blown away what I originally wrote about in college, big time," Gronkowski tweeted. "And for this, I want to thank the whole entire first-class Buccaneers organization for an amazing ride, trusting me to come back to play and help build a championship team. I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field."

He previously announced his retirement from the NFL in 2019 but returned to the field after taking a season off to join Tom Brady in Tampa in 2020, where they won Super Bowl LV together that year.

Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter that Brady might be able to talk Gronkowski into playing again for the Bucs.

"It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call," Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter. "This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season."

The Bucs website said the franchise was grateful for the two outstanding seasons Gronkowski gave the team, which included the franchise's second Super Bowl championship.

"Rob is a true professional who left it all on the field for us the past two seasons and helped establish a championship culture in our building," said General Manager Jason Licht in a statement. "He played a crucial part in our Super Bowl LV championship season in 2020 and battled through a number of injuries last year while on the way to one of the most productive receiving yardage seasons in his 11-year career. ... The overwhelming emotions I feel today are gratitude and respect for one of the greatest tight ends who ever played the game."

"Teammate, friend, brother, just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of @gronk," Brady said on his Facebook page. "Nobody has ever embodied the idea of 'leaving it all out on the field' like Rob has throughout his entire career. Every single snap, I knew that no matter how many people you put in front of him, he was going to get to his spot."

Brady added: "Even more important is the person he was off the field. Focused when he had to be, and FUN the rest of the time. Having Gronk in your locker room was every NFL player's dream. I’m proud of all that we’ve accomplished together, and even more excited for all you have ahead of you. Congrats Gronk, you deserve it."

Earlier this offseason, Gronkowski said he was undecided about whether he would continue playing football, saying that if he decided to return, it would only be to rejoin the Buccaneers and Brady.

"In college, I was asked to write about a dream job opportunity that I wanted to pursue and where the location would be. Every time I had to write about my future, no matter what, I picked being a professional football player," Gronkowski said in his Instagram announcement. "For that assignment, though, we had to pick the location. So I wrote that I wanted to play in Tampa for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for many reasons, the sunny weather being #1. I completely forgot about writing this report until two years ago when I had the opportunity to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

Gronkowski, already close friends of Brady's and running back Leonard Fournette, whom he played with on the Patriots team, said he is especially grateful for the lasting friendships he made while playing with the Bucs.

See related stories:

• Bucs' Tom Brady Considers Whether To Retire Or Keep Playing
• Tom Brady To Return To Buccaneers For 2022 NFL Season
• Rob Gronkowski Headed To Tampa Bay To Team With Tom Brady: Report

"The friendships and relationships I have made will last forever, and I appreciate every single one of my teammates and coaches for giving everything they had as well," he said. "From retirement, back to football and winning another championship and now back to chilling out, thank you to all. Buccaneers fans, the Krewe, without you guys, none of this is possible, all of ya brought it every game, thank you for all you do. Cheers to what’s next, maybe sailing the seas. Arghhhhhh!!"

His announcement was followed by a string of congratulatory replies from teammates, fans and family members, including some career advice from his pro-athlete brothers.

"Congrats on an unforgettable career bro!," responded Glenn Gronkowski.

"Congratulations, little bro, a well-deserved retirement," added Gordie Gronkowski. "When Brady retires u need to do side by side commentary w him. That would be absolute gold. I promise I will get cable again to see that."

"What a ride!" said his brother Chris Gronkowski. "Start a flag football league at the retirement home. But for real, congratulations."

To see a retrospective of Gronkowski's tenure with the Bucs in photographs taken by the Bucs staff photographers, click here.