Rumors about Rob Gronkowski possibly returning to the New England Patriots this season have percolated steadily since the tight end announced his retirement, and the team’s owner is among those hoping for a return.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said during an appearance on NFL Network Thursday that they “love Gronk” and “pray and hope” he will return to the team. Kraft also noted that Gronk has not officially submitted his retirement papers.
#Patriots owner Robert Kraft on @nflnetwork just now: “We all love Gronk and I think the bottom line is, he hasn't put his retirement papers in. We can always pray and hope …. That's a good academic argument that there is hope for us still with Gronk."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2019
Though Gronk has not filed for retirement, FOX announced this week that the tight end will join their “NFL on FOX” team as an analyst. Stepping into a TV role seems to be the opposite direction of training for a return to the field, but that does not mean things couldn’t change. Remember, Jason Witten was a “Monday Night Football” broadcaster last year and decided to return to the Dallas Cowboys this year.
Patriots fans — and Kraft — can continue to dream and hope. Maybe their wishes will come true.
