Rob Gronkowski will not return to the New England Patriots or the NFL in 2019. He had until 4 p.m. on Saturday to apply for reinstatement from the reserve list, but he elected not to put together a bid to return.
Gronkowski teased the idea of returning for 2019, but eventually began to rule out the possibility as the deadline grew near. He seemed only to engage the chatter surrounding a potential return when it benefited his post-football business endeavors. When he was being candid, it became clearer he wasn’t ready to return this season. He said it outright before Week 12 games on the FOX Sports broadcast, where he is an NFL analyst.
It was expected, now official: Rob Gronkowski cannot return in 2019. His deadline to return this season was 4pm ET Saturday, the last business day prior to a Week 13 game for reinstatement for players on reserve list. Gronkowski will be eligible to return again after Super Bowl.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2019
Gronkowski’s work as an NFL analyst hasn’t been exclusively about praising the Patriots. He had strong feelings about New England’s negative attitude after a Week 11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“(Tom Brady) is so frustrated, too. It’s like, ‘Yo, you guys are 9-1.’ That’s one part I don’t miss about being there. Hand down. I’m not going to lie. I don’t miss that,” Gronkowski said on air before Sunday’s Week 12 games began. “They’re frustrated. They’re 9-1. They win a game against Philly last week. We lost to them two years ago in the Super Bowl. They should be happy. Instead, you’re sitting there Sunday night thinking, ‘What did I do wrong?’ No, that’s not the feeling you should be having. But you won the game. Enjoy it. Go out next week, and build off it.”
Combining those remarks with some of his comments about injuries and concussions, it’s probably the right choice for Gronk to enjoy life after football.
[vertical-gallery id=75549]