"I'm done with football," TE Rob Gronkowski said Tuesday, adding that he wouldn't return even if QB Tom Brady called to ask. The interview made headlines -- but we wouldn't expect Gronk to say anything else less than a month after announcing his retirement. We still believe there's at least a small chance he returns to the Bucs at some point this season.
Speculating on the team's replacement plan in the wake of TE Rob Gronkowski's (2nd) retirement, Scott Smith of the team website highlights the potential of 4th-round rookie Cade Otton. Smith says "there is the potential for him to be the one tight end the Buccaneers keep on the field most often," with receiving skills that "many draft analysts" believe exceed his college usage and the fact that he's "already considered an above-average and very willing blocker." Smith goes on to say that there might not be a "single clear answer" and that the Bucs could just blend Otton, fellow rookie Ko Kieft, vet Cameron Brate and perhaps 1 more player. Otton is primarily a name to know for dynasty usage, but this also serves as a reminder to temper fantasy expectations for Brate. He's likely the team's best receiving bet at the position with Gronk gone. But Brate has also played less than 40% of Tampa Bay snaps in 3 straight years. Just 2 of those included Gronkowski, and he missed 5 games in 2021.
TE Rob Gronkowski tells NFL insider Jordan Schultz that he's retiring. It's only June, of course, so there's plenty of time for Gronk to change his mind. In fact, he "retired" back in 2019 before eventually returning with QB Tom Brady and the Bucs in 2020. So we're not completely ruling out another season from Gronkowski. But he'd be tough to draft as more than a last-pick flier right now. Losing Gronk would be a big blow to a Bucs offense that lost WR Antonio Brown and has WR Chris Godwin iffy for the start of the season after tearing his ACL in December. TEs Cameron Brate and rookie Cade Otton are next up on Tampa's depth chart.
Update: Gronkowski confirmed his retirement on his Instagram. But his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, isn't totally buying it. “It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call," Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "This is just my opinion but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.”
Per beat writer Rick Stroud, the Bucs are “optimistic” TE Rob Gronkowski will re-sign prior to training camp. Gronk currently projects as a TE1 for the 2022 fantasy football season.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus said he told the Bucs that TE Rob Gronkowski is "truly undecided" about whether he'll play in 2022. We wouldn't expect Gronk to commit to another season in March. But we're ultimately expecting him to make another run at a Super Bowl with Tom Brady. Gronkowski is worth taking some shots on at his current 9th-round FFPC ADP. That'll climb at least a few rounds if and when he announces that he's playing this season.
Asked who he’d like to play with now that Tom Brady has retired, TE Rob Gronkowski mentioned Joe Burrow. “I kinda like this young buck quarterback. He’s in the Super Bowl now: It’s Joe Burrow, man,” Gronkowski said via MassLive.com. “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. I just love his swag, too. If I had to pick a quarterback, it’d be the young buck Joe Burrow. “He’s killing it right now in the game.” It's worth noting that C.J. Uzomah’s contract expires next month. And the Bengals have enough cap space if they wanted to make a run at Gronk, an impending free agent. But we'll see if the 33-year-old (in May) ultimately decides to put his body through another long season. Gronk posted 55-802-6 in 2021 (12 games).
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski commented on his potential 2022 return during a chat with reporters on Monday. "I’m really going to basically do what’s best for myself in terms of the football world," Gronkowski said. "It's going to be a decision based upon of where I’m at in a couple weeks.” Gronk added that he might play another season -- even if Tom Brady retires. We’re guessing the 32-year-old will continue playing, but we might not get confirmation for a couple of months. Gronk, an impending free agent, ended this past season as the PPR TE7 despite missing 5 games.
Bucs HC Bruce Arians said Monday that he'll play his starters in Sunday's finale vs. the Panthers. Tampa has clinched the NFC South but can move from the #3 seed to #2 with a win and a Rams loss to the 49ers. "You play to win," Arians said. "You play to get that second seed, that’s huge. We’re not resting anybody. We’re playing to win.”
Bucs HC Bruce Arians said after Sunday's win over the Jets that WR Antonio Brown's time with the Bucs is over. That's not a surprise after Brown removed his jersey and left the field in the middle of the 3rd quarter. But it's still a massive loss for a Bucs offense that is also without WR Chris Godwin for the rest of the season. That leaves Breshad Perriman, Cyril Grayson and Tyler Johnson as the top WRs behind Mike Evans. Evans and TE Rob Gronkowski should be the focal points of the passing game in Week 18 and the playoffs.
Bucs WR Antonio Brown (ankle) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. HC Bruce Arians said afterward that Brown "probably" won't play vs. the Falcons this weekend. It's disappointing news after Arians said last week that he was "hopeful" to get Brown back for this one. Brown should stay stashed on fantasy benches as we continue to monitor his rehab. His absence is good news for Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski.
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski (back) is active for tonight's game vs. the Giants. He's played just 6 snaps since Week 3, so he's a risk/reward fantasy play.
The Bucs are "optimistic" about TE Rob Gronkowski's chances of playing vs. the Bears tonight, according to The Athletic's Greg Auman. Gronk was a full-go in practice on Thursday and Friday before sitting out on Saturday. He and HC Bruce Arians were optimistic about Gronkowski's status throughout the week. We'll get the Bucs' inactives around 7 pm ET tonight.
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski (back) is listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Giants. After putting in full practices on Thursday and Friday, he didn't practice at all on Saturday. It's unclear if that was a planned day off or a setback. HC Bruce Arians called Gronk a game-time decision, along with the rest of the Bucs' "questionable" players. It's a tough spot for fantasy owners with the Monday kickoff. We'll look for further updates on Gronkowski's status.
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. That puts him on track to return for Monday night's game vs. the Giants. Gronk lasted just 6 snaps when he last tried to return back in Week 8, so he checks in as a risk/reward Week 11 fantasy play.
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski (back) is out for Sunday's game vs. Washington. HC Bruce Arians said earlier this week that Gronk is 2-3 weeks away from being back to 100%. TEs Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard have basically been splitting work with Gronkowski out, leaving them both as just TE2s.
Bucs HC Bruce Arians said in Thursday radio interview that TE Rob Gronkowski "in about 2 or 3 weeks will be back to normal." Arians also said, "I doubt it" when asked if Gronk will be able to play vs. Washington this weekend. He remains worth stashing on fantasy benches, but don't plan on having Gronkowski in Week 10 or 11 lineups.
Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski (back) did not practice on Wednesday. HC Bruce Arians has seemed to suggest so far this week that Gronk won't be available for Sunday's game vs. Washington. We'll continue to keep an eye on him, but fantasy owners shouldn't be planning on having Gronkowski in Week 10 lineups.
Bucs HC Bruce Arians said Monday that he's not sure if TE Rob Gronkowski (ribs, back) will be ready for this weekend's game vs. Washington. Gronk tried to return in Week 8, prior to the Week 9 bye, but lasted just 6 snaps. We'll update his status throughout the week.
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