Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski retiring from NFL for second time

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is again calling it a career.

The 32-year-old Gronkowski announced his retirement Tuesday via social media.

However, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter that he wouldn't be surprised if Gronkowski could be coaxed out of retirement for a second time by Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.

«It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call,» Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter. «This is just my opinion but I wouldn't be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.»

Gronkowski had previously retired after the 2018 season with the New England Patriots due to injuries. The 2010 second-round draft pick out of Arizona largely credits Brady for setting the expectations for his career, and it was Brady who summoned him out of retirement in 2020 to play for the Bucs.

Though their personalities differed immensely — Gronkowski playful, fun-loving and never known to have a bad day by coaches or teammates; Brady, methodical and intense — they developed a close connection both on the field and off.

Gronkowski is the second key member of the Buccaneers offense to retire this year, following guard Ali Marpet, who retired in February. Brady himself announced his retirement in February only to unretire 40 days later.

Gronkowksi's breakthrough year came in 2011, when he set the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 17. The year before, Gronk unveiled what became known as his signature move — the «Gronk Spike,» where he forcefully slammed the ball onto the field after every touchdown he scored.

Gronkowski won four Super Bowls — three with the Patriots (XLIX, LI, LIII) and one with the Buccaneers (LV) in 2020, a