The time might be now for Rob Gronkowski to hang it up

By Cody Rivera | Jan 13, 2019

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms up on the field in the cold before the game. The New England Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL AFC Divisional Playoff game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 13, 2019. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

It’s been a very rough year for Rob Gronkowski, and it might be time for him to retire with his health while he still has it.

Rumors of Rob Gronkowski considering retirement are nothing new. They surfaced consistently during last offseason, as Gronkowski and the New England Patriots struggled to come to terms on a new contract.

As the Patriots contend with the Los Angeles Chargers in the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs, rumors have once again returned that the veteran tight end is strongly thinking about hanging it up following the culmination of New England’s playoff run. After the season that he had in 2018, retirement continues to be a looming option.

During New England’s season-opener against the Houston Texans, Gronk had seven catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. Following that, he was very limited — much of it being due to health reasons. Gronkowski only totaled 22 receptions over his next six games, and he didn’t have another touchdown catch until Week 12.

For several years, Gronkowski was undoubtedly the NFL’s most dominant tight end. But it’s no secret that, ever since entering the league in 2010, he has taken beating after beating. Getting through an entire season without some sort of injury has been a very rare accomplishment. He’s experienced it all from torn ACLs and broken arms, and just about everything in between.

As usual, he missed a chunk of the 2018 season, and even when he has been on the field, he’s appeared more hobbled this year than he ever has before. His legs just aren’t as effective as they used to be, and from a health standpoint, it’s hard to imagine things getting better.

Gronkowski will only be turning 30 this year, but he’s already a two-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. As a tight end, you can’t ask for much more out of your NFL career than that.

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As painful as it would be for Patriots fans to see him go, the time might be now for Gronkowski to get out while he still has his health.

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