Is four-time Super Bowl champion and current Fox Sports analyst Rob Gronkowski nearing an NFL comeback? On Tuesday, Feb. 25, a report surfaced that he is looking to return to football, which prompted a response from a top NFL newsbreaker. Let’s delve into the details and whether the comeback news is credible.
Is Rob Gronkowski Looking To Unretire Again?
Denver sports radio host Cecil Lammey ignited rumors of a potential Gronkowski return after reporting that the legendary tight end has been training for an NFL comeback.
Lammey is in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine and cited league sources who told him that Tom Brady’s former go-to option is working out intensely in Colorado.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨@CecilLammey reporting Rob Gronkowski is training to return to the NFL! Where is he headed? Check out Cecil's video to find out! pic.twitter.com/PGGwQ5jVsk
— Footballguys Fantasy Football (@Footballguys) February 25, 2025
“Sources tell me Gronkowski has been working out in Vail this offseason as he wants to physically be ready for another NFL season. High-altitude training in the offseason could help him prepare for the rigors of training camp if a team shows interest,” Lammey wrote for Denver Sports. “At age 35, and with a few years of rest on his body, Gronkowski may be better suited for a return than some think.
“Gronkowski was known as one of the toughest players on the field, and he battled through various ailments on his way to four championships. Now healthy and motivated to return, Gronkowski could help a team get to a Super Bowl. His skill set, and championship pedigree, are something teams will be interested in.”
Lammey added that Gronkowski is ready to serve as a mentor for younger tight ends while still making impact plays on the field. He went one step further, reporting that Gronkowski is interested in joining the Denver Broncos.
“Could that [interested] team be the Denver Broncos?” asked Lammey. “Two of his brothers, Chris and Dan, both had short stints with the team over 10 years ago and I’ve heard the Gronkowski family loves the city and the team. Not only that, but sources also tell me that Gronkowski would love to play for head coach Sean Payton, whom he worked with at Fox during the 2022 season, and likes what he’s seen from quarterback Bo Nix.”
This all sounds great, but is this report credible? Unfortunately, it isn’t. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport chimed in by quote-tweeting Lammey’s video, saying simply: “Nope. Nonsense.”
Nope. Nonsense. https://t.co/3lKzrPKStB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2025
So, don’t expect Gronkowski to return to the NFL. This isn’t a huge surprise to any of Gronkowski’s fans, as the legendary tight end has made it abundantly clear in interviews that playing football isn’t in his future.
What Has Gronkowski Said About a Potential NFL Return?
Gronkowski hasn’t shown any signs that he’s looking to make an NFL return. In fact, he did a number of Radio Row interviews during Super Bowl week, and he was adamant that he isn’t close to being in football shape.
“I would be able to play five plays a game and I would be so ineffective on those five it would be a waste of time,” Gronkowski said at a USAA event during Super Bowl week.
Gronkowski recently spoke on the “Dudes Being Dudes” podcast, where he made a comment about how he “might as well go back to football because I’m grinding harder than I ever grinded before, and I’m not even playing football,” but it seemed like he was just pointing out how crazy his schedule has been as of late.
“I might as well go back because playing ball would be easier than what I’ve been doing over the last six months,” he added.
While the thought of Gronkowski resuming his NFL career was fun while it lasted, don’t expect to see him suiting up on Sundays again.