Rob Gronkowski on Jan. 23. Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs the ball against Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (11) during the second half in a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were hoping to repeat as Super Bowl champions this season. However, following their loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild playoff game on Sunday, those plans have been dashed.

Now the Bucs have to play the waiting game to see if Tom Brady will indeed return for another season or if the future Hall of Famer will decide to hang up the cleats.

The team also has to worry about whether not tight end Rob Gronkowski will return next season as well. Gronk initially retired after the 2018 season but following Brady to the Bucs in 2020 in order to be part of their Super Bowl run last season. However, it’s unclear how much more Gronkowski has in the tank or if he’d prefer to get back to other endeavors.

“I’m really going to basically do what’s best for myself in terms of the football world,” Gronkowski said Monday. “It’s going to be a decision based upon of where I’m at in a couple weeks.”

A lot of people are speculation that as goes Brady, so goes Gronk. But the for time being, it sounds like the 32-year-old isn’t elimiating any options from the table.

“I’ll never take anything off the board,” Gronkowski said, via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud.

Gronk had 55 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns this past season. While that’s far off his career-highs from his New England Patriots days, it’s still some solid production for an older tight end. If he wanted to keep going, he’d certainly have the ability.

[Sara Walsh]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.