Rob Gronkowski's agent sets the record straight on his NFL future
Those hoping to know whether or not tight end Rob Gronkowski is returning to the New England Patriots or retiring from the NFL will have to wait at least another day.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus told “PFT Live” on Friday that there’s no timetable for a decision by his client about his future.
On @PFT_Live, @RosenhausSports said there's no timetable for a decision by Rob Gronkowski on whether he'll play in 2018.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 2, 2018
It’s the latest day of non-official news in a story that has been fueled by speculation over the past week.
Last week, Gronkowski created a buzz after a social media post was inferred by many to mean he was retiring.
Forseee your own future, control your own temptations, and your destiny will be not just be reached, it will just be starting.
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) February 24, 2018
But on Wednesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said his sources indicated that Gronkowski would return to New England for another season.
The expectation is that #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will return for 2018 after pondering his future, I’m told. He may never make a grand announcement, but the belief is entertainment opportunities (acting WWE) will wait. pic.twitter.com/WwbLZS4zfy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 28, 2018
Gronkowski replied to Rapoport’s report with a one-word response.
#clueless 🤷♂️
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) February 28, 2018
On Wednesday, at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Gronk’s agency was asked about his status. Again, there was no new information.
“We’re not going to talk about that. That’s personal,” Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told the Boston Herald.
While there’s plenty of time between now and the start of training camp for Gronkowski to make a decision about returning for another season, the business aspect of the NFL suggests the Patriots will need an answer sooner rather than later.
The team can save about $6.2 million in cap space by releasing tight end Martellus Bennett and another $5 million by releasing tight end Dwayne Allen if they do so before the start of NFL free agency on March 14. Bennett is also due a $2 million bonus if he is still on the roster by that date.
So there is a sense of urgency for the Patriots to know how they should proceed at the tight end position. If Gronkowski is going to return, one of the other two tight ends would likely be released.
Whatever pressure there is on Gronkowski to make a decision, don’t expect it to come from other players. Former NFL receiver Donte Stallworth — who was a member of the 2007 New England team that went 16-0 in the regular season — said in a tweet on Wednesday that players understand the grind a player goes through and the toll it takes on their bodies, so it’s unlikely any of Gronkowski’s teammates would try to influence his decision.
I’m not so sure his teammates will try to convince him to come back for the 2018 season. Players understand the grind of a long NFL season and especially for Gronk and what his body has endured during his time in the league. https://t.co/eSSm6hTxU9
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) February 28, 2018
Gronkowski, who turns 29 in May, still has two years and $19 million remaining on his contract. Rumors have suggested that if he were to retire from the NFL, he has offers waiting for him to jump to pro wrestling with the WWE, as well as a possible career in Hollywood.
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