All-Pro New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski announced today that he will return to play the 2018 NFL season with the team. This puts an end to his retirement speculation and confirms that he will be back to play a ninth season with the team.
Gronkowski made his decision public by posting a message on Instagram where he made it clear that he informed head coach Bill Belichick of his decision and that he’s been working out and staying in shape. He also pointed out that he looks forward to another championship run with the team.
“I met with coach today and informed him I will be back for the 2018 season with the Pats. I have been working out, staying in shape and feel great. Looking forward to another championship run.”
His retirement talk started after his post-Super Bowl LII press conference where he was non-committal about his NFL future. At a certain point during the offseason, his possibility of retiring looked very real due to the Pats heartbreaking loss to the Eagles and the injury issues he went through this season.
There had been rumors for the last month that indicated that Gronk was expected to return this season and the Patriots had always planned for him to be back although it was clear that after their Super Bowl loss he wanted to take a full break from football.
Now the only question remaining is what his salary is going to be as the Patriots and Gronkowski have yet to sit down and renegotiate his contract as he still is one of the most talented and underpaid players (not to mention tight ends) in the league.
With that issue now clear the Patriots can now focus on Tom Brady, as he has also yet to tell the team whether or not he will return this season. People close to the team have announced that Brady is very likely to return, but he has yet to sit down with the team and make it official like Gronkowski did today.
