I Might As Well Go Back to Football’: Did Gronk Just Hint at an NFL Return… or Was It All a Joke?

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the rumors surrounding Rob Gronkowski’s potential return to the NFL, based on available information as of April 11, 2025. The analysis aims to address the user’s query by synthesizing recent reports, credible sources, and contextual details, ensuring a thorough understanding of the situation.

Context and Historical Background
Rob Gronkowski, nicknamed “Gronk,” is a former professional football tight end who played 11 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the New England Patriots and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He initially retired in 2019 after a successful stint with the Patriots, only to unretire in 2020 to join Tom Brady at the Buccaneers, where he won his fourth Super Bowl. He retired again in 2022, taking up a role as an analyst for Fox Sports. His career is marked by four Super Bowl championships, five Pro Bowl selections, and recognition on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team (Wikipedia).

Given his history of retiring and unretiring, speculation about his return has been a recurring theme, particularly given his physical condition and public comments about staying fit. This context is crucial for understanding the recent rumors, which surfaced in February 2025, suggesting he might consider playing again.

Emergence of Rumors in February 2025
In late February 2025, rumors began circulating that Gronkowski, now 35, was contemplating a return to the NFL. These rumors were primarily fueled by a report from Denver-based journalist Cecil Lammey, who claimed on X that Gronkowski was considering a comeback, with the Denver Broncos as a potential destination. Lammey’s report, cited in articles like Marca, suggested that Gronkowski’s interest stemmed from his work with Broncos head coach Sean Payton at Fox Sports and his appreciation for quarterback Bo Nix and the city of Denver. The report also mentioned that Gronkowski had been training in Vail, Colorado, to get back into NFL shape, and quoted him saying on the “Dude on Dudes” podcast, “I might as well go back to football because I’m grinding harder than I ever grinded before, and I’m not even playing football,” implying he might find playing easier than his current efforts.

Similar reports appeared in The Providence Journal and al.com, noting his potential fit with the Broncos, given his brothers Chris and Dan had brief stints with the team over a decade ago. These articles also highlighted his impressive NFL history, including being a four-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, suggesting he could still contribute, especially in the AFC West against tight ends like Travis Kelce and Brock Bowers.

Debunking the Rumors
Despite the initial buzz, the rumors were swiftly debunked by credible sources. On February 25, 2025, NFL insider Ian Rapoport, known for his reliable reporting, responded to the rumor on X with a succinct “Nope. Nonsense.” (Ian Rapoport). This post was in response to an earlier claim by Footballguys Fantasy Football on X, which had shared Lammey’s report, and was accompanied by a community note stating, “This is not true, per actual league sources,” linking to Rapoport’s post for verification.

Further analysis from OutKick confirmed that Lammey’s report was a hoax, with OutKick’s Armando Salguero also denying it. The article noted that Lammey tried to justify his claim by mentioning Gronkowski’s connections to Sean Payton and Denver, but this was insufficient to counter the denials from Rapoport and the community note. Replies to Rapoport’s X post, including from BetMGM and others, humorously dismissed the rumor, with comments like “Gronk hearing rumors that he’s coming out of retirement,” reinforcing the consensus that it was unfounded.

Additionally, Broncos GM George Paton was asked about the rumor during the NFL Scouting Combine, as reported by KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM, and responded, “I just heard that on my way over here. That’s pretty cool he wants to be a Bronco.” While this comment was ambiguous, a reply to Rapoport’s post by Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) on X suggested Paton confirmed Rapoport’s report, implying the rumor was nonsense, though the exact clarification was not detailed in the available text.

Analysis of Gronkowski’s Statements and Training
The Marca article provided additional context, noting Gronkowski’s training in Vail and his podcast comment, which some interpreted as a hint at a return. However, given the debunking, this likely was taken out of context or was a humorous remark rather than a serious intention. Previous statements from Gronkowski, such as in October 2023 with Fox News, reiterated his retirement, saying, “I’m washed up,” and in September 2023 with Bleacher Report, confirming he was “100 percent retired” even if Tom Brady returned (Fox News, Bleacher Report). These statements align with the current evidence that he has no plans to unretire.