Does Rob Gronkowski want to play for the Bengals?

As they prepare for the biggest game of the season the Bengals have most definitely won over a host of fans along the way. Now it seems like amongst them, there are players as well, with the Bucs' star tight end potentially interested in switching camps.

Could the Bucs' Rob Gronkowski play for the Bengals?

If there is one name that's been consistently mentioned alongside Tom Brady's, it's that of his partner in crime, tight end Rob Gronkowski. The 'Gronk' as he is known to many fans has played in the NFL for 11 seasons and for each and every one of those campaigns, the legendary quarterback was his play maker. With Brady recently announcing his retirement, the focus immediately shifted to the star pass catcher as everyone seemingly wondered whether or not he would join Brady in saying goodbye or would he give it one more go in the league.

To add further speculation to the scenario, it must be noted that Gronk is actually due to become a free agent once the off season begins. With that in mind, it then becomes a scenario in which the star TE could have his pick of the top teams in the league, any of whom would benefit from the services of a player such as Gronkowski. Which brings us to the fact that the man himself actually gave comment on just who he might like to join. According to comments made during a question-and-answer session on Tuesday, Gronk who was asked which quarterback he'd like to play with next season stated without hesitation his preference.

"I kinda like this young buck quarterback. He's in the Super Bowl now: It's Joe Burrow, man," Gronkowski said. "I watched him in college. I just love the way he presents himself out on the football field. In the pocket he's just so calm and he just slings it out on the field."

The Gronk likes Joe Burrow a lot

With the Gronk's endorsement of Burrow, some might argue that it's a case of stating the obvious. In recent times the Bengals' quarterback has been at the center of a number of comparisons to Brady such as that of the Rams' Von Miller, who just this week said, "I don't like making comparisons to anybody else. Joe Burrow is his own guy, but you definitely see shades of Tom Brady in this guy," Miller said. To hear Gronkowski tell it, one would say that he's just about convinced. "I just love his swag, too," Gronkowski said when speaking about Burrow. "If I had to pick a quarterback it'd be the young buck Joe Burrow. He's killing it right now in the game."

The Bengals for their part are most definitely armed in the tight end department - though he's struggling with an injury - with C.J. Uzomah posting some impressive numbers as the Rams marched to the Super Bowl where they will face Burrow's Bengals. On the other hand, like Gronkowski, Uzomah is set to become a free agent as well. Should the Bengals face a situation where he leaves, one has to imagine that there wouldn't be a better replacement than a player who like the Gronk who is destined for the NFL Hall of Fame.

Does Gronkowski want to play again?

While the speculation is understandable and that's before considering the idea that the Bengals will benefit from a significant increase in salary cap space due to free agency, the truth remains that for a deal to occur between the player and Cincinnati, he'd actually have to commit to playing in the upcoming season. For the moment that's something which the Gronk has been hesitant to do. During an interview in late January, Gronk said he'd call it quits if he had to make a decision right now.

"If they're like, 'Rob, you've got to decide right now, right this second if you're playing next year,' I would say no right now," Gronk said. "I would be like, 'No, I'm not playing.'" If, however, he walks back on his words, he will undoubtedly be one of the most sought after signings in the league. The central question that remains - assuming Gronk continues - is simply 'Are the Bengals are watching closely?