Gronk is back? The legendary tight end talks about his possible return to the league and is linked to these teams

If the latest rumors doing the rounds are to be believed, former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is seriously considering coming out of retirement to restart his NFL career.

Widely considered one of the best TE is NFL history, Gronk spent nine seasons with the Pats, leading the team to victory in three Super Bowls (LI, LIII and XLIX) team). He retired, aged 29, in March 2019 but was coaxed to return by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a year later, and helped them to be crowned champions in 2021.

In June 2022, he announced that he would be quitting football definitely. “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 explained on Instagram.

Since 2022, he has been working as an on-air analyst for FOX Sports but now it appears he could be set to return for a second time.

Rob Gronkowski’s connections to Denver

According to Denver Sports journalist Cecil Lammey, Gronkowski is contemplating a return to the NFL for the 2025 season. Lammey claims that the legendary tight end is interested in playing for the Denver Broncos - largely because he worked with head coach Sean Payton at FOX Sports.

Another factor that might persuade Gronk to play in the Mile High City is a family connection. His brothers, Chris and Dan, both played for the Denver franchise. Chris was a running back for the Broncos in 2012, while Dan was a tight end who saw action in 2010.

Are the Broncos looking for a tight end?

The Denver Broncos do have significant needs at both the tight end and running back positions for the 2025 season. They ended the 2024 season with Adam Trautman as their starting TE and Javonte Williams as their primary RB. Gronk’s return would greatly enhance the Broncos' offensive capabilities, passing game and overall performance.

However, Payton and the Broncos' management might opt to draft young talent for those positions, as they hold the 20th pick in the first round. The top college prospects at tight end include Tyler Warren from Penn State and Colston Loveland from Michigan.

Warren, a standout at Penn State, won the 2024 John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. He is known for his versatility and impressive stats, including 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and 8 touchdowns in his senior year.

Meanwhile Loveland, from Michigan, is another highly regarded prospect. He played a key role in Michigan’s offense, recording 56 catches for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2024. Loveland’s athleticism and ability to make plays downfield make him an attractive option.

Gronk will turn 36 in May and has been out of the game for over two years but there is no denying he has an impressive track record: 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns in 143 regular season games during his NFL career. He was also a four-time First-Team All-Pro and received five Pro Bowl invitations.

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