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The New England Patriots could use some help at tight end, and owner Robert Kraft is still holding out hope that Rob Gronkowski will end his retirement. It seems unlikely for the time being, but the future Hall of Famer will not shut the door entirely.
Earlier in October, Gronk previously said he would have to be “feeling it big time to come back” and would always keep it in mind as an option. On Thursday at an event in Toronto, he said that maybe one day he might return to the game if he feels the need to play.
I definitely appreciate that I have the option of coming back. That’s always going to be on top of my brain, on top of my head, because I played for nine years and I love the game still.
So maybe, one day, if I’m missing the game and I feel I need to play, then I’ll go do it. But that’s what I love about it, is I have the option to be able to go back and play. Which is great. That’s what I love. Having the option to be able to go back and play.
The interviewer specifically asked him about coming back this season, and he said he hasn’t thought about it. He likes having the option, but he’s busy with his CBD business. He wouldn’t say definitely no, but not for the moment.
Pro Football Talk pointed out that if he does want to return to the Patriots, he must do so by the Tuesday after Week 13, or he’d have to go through waivers. That would mean any of the other teams ahead of New England in waiver priority would get a chance to claim him.
It seems unlikely we see Gronk this year, so if you were stashing him in your fantasy football league on that off chance, I think you’ll be fine reclaiming that roster spot.