Rob Gronkowski’s career has been built on his ability to do things loudly, joyfully, and on his own terms. In 2022, he seriously considered unretiring for a second time.
Gronk shared that this was not a publicity stunt to grab headlines; according to him, he had honest conversations, experienced genuine temptation, and saw an immediate way to the field. In the end, the door to return closed as quickly as it opened.
The Spark That Made Rob Gronkowski Consider One More Run
Gronkowski revealed how close he came during a recent Up & Adams interview. He received an invitation to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers meeting about 10 weeks into the 2022 season.
They came equipped with a complete plan to start on the practice squad for two to three weeks, not just checking on his interest. View it as a personalized training camp and prepare him for the playoffs.
“When I was not first time retired, when I was second time retired, I almost came back. It was about 10 weeks into the season. I had a meeting with the Buccaneers,” said Gronkowski.
Gronk tells the story of how he ALMOST came out of retirement for the SECOND TIME back in 2022 @RobGronkowski | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/bGjrJjbPbo
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) December 10, 2025
For a brief moment, it seemed like the excitement for Gronkowski to return was about to become real.
Why Gronkowski Ultimately Walked Away
He felt a sense of clarity after leaving the Tampa meeting. Gronk knew that the desire wasn’t there, not the real, deep-down hunger that was required to survive the grind again.
Pushing through old injuries or seeking a thrill that he had already experienced at the highest peaks of the sport made no sense.
“They wanted me back. I kind of wanted to come back. I thought about it just a little bit, you know.
“But I walked away from the meeting, I said, I have to truly want it in my heart to come back. But before we left the meeting, there was already a game plan established for me to get back to where I need to get to, to be in game-ready and in game shape and game eligible.
“It was to be on the practice squad for the first two to three weeks and treat it like a training camp for myself, and then activate me for the final three to four games, and then go into the playoffs.”
He continued, “And that’s why I truly don’t see I understand that Philip Rivers is on the practice squad, because I kind of went through that experience.
“I don’t see him starting already week one, because I think he needs, you know, exercise his mind and his arm once again at the level that he needs to, if it’s still even there, and they got to evaluate him too, if it’s even smart to put them in as a starter, and I think it would take about two to three weeks in the practice squad, just like the plan that I was going to have if I ended up coming back.”
By the middle of 2022, he made it clear to everyone that he was done with football. He turned his focus to business ventures, family projects, media work, and the sense of self-satisfaction that comes with waking up without bruises.
“I’m done with football,” Gronkowski said.
“Love the game. Definitely blessed with all the opportunities the game of football has given me, and relationships — obviously here in New England Patriots for nine seasons and down in Tampa for two. But done with football and stepping my feet into the business world, business ventures, and just seeing what’s out there and where I can find my place.”
Gronk made it clear that a call from Tom Brady and the Buccaneers wouldn’t be enough to lure him out of retirement for a second time.
