Rob Gronkowski Feb 11, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski during the NFL Alumni Legends Party Presented by USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures at Avalon Hollywood. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Will Rob Gronkowski return to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2022 NFL season? Now that Tom Brady is back and Bruce Arians has moved on from the head coaching spot, it’s the last real burning question that the franchise had heading into the preseason.

Friday, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said the “status quo” remains the same while they await a decision from Gronk. And as far as when anyone should expect an update, he says there is no timetable on when the tight end will make a decision.

It’s understood that Gronk is deciding between whether or not to retire (again) or return to Tampa Bay. He has said that he has no plans to play for any other team. After helping win a Super Bowl title in 2020, he’s coming off a reason in which he garnered 55 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns.

“It’s just the Bucs,” Gronkowski told TMZ. “Love that organization, man. Love the guys there. It’s family over there.”

Some have also wondered if he knows he will return but he’s just waiting until OTAs are over so that he doesn’t have to participate.

While we wait to find out whether or not the future Hall of Famer will play at least one more season in the NFL, there are certainly plenty of opinions and reactions around the NFL world about it.

Gronk will let everyone know when Gronk is good and ready.

[Rick Stroud]

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.