Rob Gronkowski hints at his decision for 2021 season

Rob Gronkowski had suggested he needed time before making a decision on his future, but he has already said he plans to play next season.

Earlier this month Rob Gronkowski said he would wait until the offseason to decide on his future, but before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New Orleans Saints Sunday night in the Divisional Round he has revealed his intentions.

Speaking to Willie McGinest on NFL Network for a segment that aired Sunday, Gronkowski said he will play next season.

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“I feel like this team was built to win right now. It was put together this year to win right now,” Gronkowski said. “I could definitely see this team having a lot of talent come back and having another successful run next year, as well, with me.”

Gronkowski spent the 2019 season in retirement, pointing to the physical toll football had taken on him. But the idea of reuniting with Tom Brady was out there quickly, and he forced the Patriots hand to trade him by coming out of retirement.

Does Rob Gronkowski have anything left?

After a year out, it was easy to wonder how much Gronkowski had left. But he played all 16 games for the first time since 2011, while playing 75 percent of the snaps for the Buccaneers. He was also pretty productive, catching 45 passes for 623 yards (13.8 yards per catch) with seven touchdowns. In the Wild Card Round against Washington, Gronkowski did not register a catch but he was a difference maker as a blocker.

Gronkowski will become an unrestricted free agent in March. But it’s fair to say he won’t be looking to sign anywhere but Tampa Bay, and he’ll take whatever will work financially for the team. If the Buccaneers will have him, and there’s no sign they won’t, Gronkowski will continue his unchecked streak of seasons playing with Brady next season.