Report: Gronk Isn’t Healthy And Bucs Officials Believe He’s Done
July 13th, 2022
There’s been loads of speculation — right here and nationally — that Rob Gronkowski wants to play this season but he wants no part of training camp and doesn’t believe his body would hold up under the grind of six-plus months of football.
It’s a very different animal to hear that Gronk is not healthy.
But that was the clear message this morning, multiple times, from ESPN NFL reporter Diana Russini during her visit to the Keyshawn, JWill and Max show on ESPN radio.
What made Russini’s comments more intriguing was her sharing that she reached out to Bucs officials hours before coming on the air to get their read on Gronk’s alleged retirement — after he emphasized yesterday that he’s definitely “done with football.”
“Gronk isn’t healthy,” Russini said. “So that’s something that plays a big part in why he was able to be so open talking about retirement [on Tuesday]. I did reach out to some people with the Buccaneers organization to just see if they were buying it, and they are. They are. They believe that Gronk really is done. But, I feel like it’s important to add that there is a situation where there is some that believe late in the season — and [Tom] Brady gives him a call and Gronk feels good — then maybe that’s the situation [Gronk] comes back. …
“… The health thing though, guys, like the health thing is real. Anyone that’s close to Gronk that I talk to a lot, it’s like, ‘He’s just not the same; he’s not the same guy.’ Gronk’s not coming back until he feels like he’s the elite tight end, the greatest in the game.”
Joe is reaching a point of Gronk exhaustion. If he comes back, then that’s awesome. But if he’s feels banged up and battered six months after the 2021 season ended, as Russini strongly implies, then it’s hard to fantasize about his triumphant return later this season.
Joe just hopes the Bucs use their eight-figures of salary cap room to win now. Worry about potentially paying Gronk later.
July 13th, 2022 at 5:18 pm
That dam Rams game
July 13th, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Mike Gieseke please
GoBucs!
July 13th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
A post mortem Gronk-a-day
July 13th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Can’t wait for an update on gronk. /s
July 13th, 2022 at 5:39 pm
Go get a veteran TE – disgruntled Dalton Schultz? And move on. If Gronk plays later this year then that’s just gravy.
July 13th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
Suh.
July 13th, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Gronk-a-day continues, even though he’s done.
July 13th, 2022 at 6:00 pm
I can’t believe clowns on here are still calling for Suh. Get over it!
July 13th, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Suh
July 13th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
I agree sasquatch move on from Suh everyone and in the same breath Joe needs to move on from Gronk articles. Get over it he’s done. So stop with it.
July 13th, 2022 at 6:25 pm
I always thought he would retire for good, this time. He already had retired and was pretty much done. Then Tom called him, cajoled him, about going to a new team, new city, new coach, and the whole thing intrigued him enough to come back. He’s done it and even won yet another SB with Tom. Those bad injuries last year made up his mind finally. Thanks Gronk, and goodbye.
July 13th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
He said he’s done. He gets final word. Everyone else’s opinion is a waste of time.
July 13th, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Hey Joe!
Reportedly the Browns have an interest in Suh.
It’s been a slow off-season, post an article dude!
July 13th, 2022 at 6:45 pm
The departure of Gronk, Suh and JPP are going to create a leadership vacuum.
I hope some of the younger players can step up…
July 13th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
The Rams f**ked us last year.
I honestly hate them more than the Slimy Saints.
They always beat us. They broke GRONK
I hate that STAFFORD commercial
I hate how successful and young McVay is (and how hot his GF is)
I hate how good Aaron Donald is
I hate how good Ramsey is
I don’t understand how KUPP is so good
I hate the LA / Hollywood part of it.
I just despise the Rams. Please win this year!!!!!
July 13th, 2022 at 6:56 pm
RPK “I don’t understand how KUPP is so good” what is it that you don’t understand? He is a great WR….
July 13th, 2022 at 7:07 pm
Not a LOT of foosball news in July guys, take what you can get
July 13th, 2022 at 7:17 pm
RPK…I couldn’t agree with your list more. Kupp from very good 1-AA WR with a torn ACL to current day is pretty stunning. McVay skipping around…getting every break towards the Super Bowl-no trip to Green Bay…Bucs sleep walking thru 3 + quarters…no KC in the Super Bowl…instead a very beatable Bengals team…it still frosts my (short ) shorts!
July 13th, 2022 at 7:32 pm
make a deal with Suh
July 13th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Gronks was a great player I have his jersey hanging in my closet but lets move on please!!!!!!!!
July 13th, 2022 at 7:42 pm
Gronk exhaustion here too…..reminds of Winston stay or Winston go…fans just need to let this go…. Move On!
July 13th, 2022 at 8:15 pm
Then, Ko Kieft shall be my sleeper…and will most likely make my fantasy bench.
July 13th, 2022 at 8:19 pm
Thank you, RPK.
July 13th, 2022 at 8:46 pm
I hate rooting for injuries, but I’ll make an exception here. Just fck up Krupp, bad.
July 13th, 2022 at 8:47 pm
nah, all this hype and bs in the media means he’s returning
July 13th, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Dalton Shultz is still not happy with Dallas. They could keep franchising him, or he could demand a trade. Legit TE 1. Wouldn’t be cheap but Bucs need it.
Kyle Rudolph. Old veteran, reliable, would do the job but not be exciting. Although TB12 makes everyone a bit better.
The outlaw Jesse James. I like that he’s 6-7 and a mismatch, and that he does everything pretty well, including the blocking and trenches. Look at highlights with the Steelers (the last time he had a a good QB working with him). Possibly the best option among a sad list of FAs.
Blake Jarwin. Out with a hip injury, won’t even start the season, is “oft injured”, but was supposed to be Cowboys TE 1.
Eric Ebron, Jared Cook. They will make catches and highlight reels, “try” but fail to block, and there is too much tape of them giving up on plays.
July 13th, 2022 at 8:49 pm
or he’s sitting out the season after the de-ribbing and told tom:
yo tommy, you’re jammed up under contract broski…i’ll sit out a year and catch up with you in miami or san fran”
July 13th, 2022 at 8:53 pm
if zion is the real deal and can fit in where smb plays…trade smb and some picks for a te at some point…
dean is like a son to bowles…so if it comes down to mgmt asking bowles at the end of the year who to resign, most likely bowles leans towards dean – unless he has a horrid year…
smb is seemingly the odd man out as of today…
also, some top tier tight end will want to play with tommy…and will literally cause an uproar in a locker room if necessary to hit the trade block…
lol i kid you not
July 13th, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Gronk is done…. until Brady seals the deal with Miami and Sean Payton (yes, Florio still thinks it could happen next year). Then Gronk will come back for one more year. Same stunt he pulled with the Pats.
July 13th, 2022 at 9:07 pm
He retired because of injuries re-retired for the same reason that guy ain’t coming back what a career time to move on nothing to see here.
July 13th, 2022 at 9:08 pm
Sheesh one look at Gronks hot gf is enough explanation for his change in priority. Time to smell the roses for Gronky. Of course watching a few big games by the Bucs might change his mind. Or not.
July 13th, 2022 at 9:25 pm
maybe tom really really doesn’t want to be here and gronk is just proof in the pudding…
because as tom goes, so goes gronk…………..well sorta…
so the writing could be on the wall as the season plays out…
gronk will go where tom goes next because at this point maybe tom is still lukewarm at best with the bucs, is under contract, and has a shot to add number 8 to his fingers —then he’s out…
a 3 year stay from tom gravy is more than enough – i for one am grateful…
maybe he wants out, but will politic his way to a strong finish this year before his departure
July 13th, 2022 at 9:26 pm
@Ash, try punctuation.
July 13th, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Seriously, continuing the speculation on this might be a sign you need some other interests. Have you tried cannabis? Really takes the edge off. And you stop caring about retired football players.
July 13th, 2022 at 9:37 pm
tf is this Suh nonsense. He isn’t a tight end and probably wants too much money
July 13th, 2022 at 9:59 pm
That multiple rib fracture and punctured lung injury was the nail in the coffin. That injury put his life in perspective. I really believe that scared the hell out of him and he probably said to himself “just finish the year” and retire. I don’t blame him. I wish him Godspeed.
July 13th, 2022 at 11:09 pm
#93
July 13th, 2022 at 11:11 pm
Ash put a period at the end.
July 13th, 2022 at 11:39 pm
I vote that we move on from Gronk articles from now on until about November.
July 13th, 2022 at 11:41 pm
I’ve got a fever…….and the only cure is………
MORE GRONK ARTICLES.
And Suh.
July 14th, 2022 at 6:47 am
If the Bucs really believed gronk then we would have signed another TE to be in the mix. To go to camp with Brate n 3 other players that haven’t taken a NFL snap. Sorry I just don’t buy it.
July 14th, 2022 at 8:29 am
thanks for the memories Gronk! but if the Bucs are as close as they think they are and TE is a hole then why not send a 2nd round pick and Brate (or one of the new kid TE’s) to Dallas for Schultz? if I’m in a “win now” situation then that 2023 2nd rounder isn’t helping on the field this year but the asset we get for it could. i think GM’s put too much stock in picks, not saying trade them all away but in our current situation i cant see why it wouldn’t be the answer! LFG BUCS!!!!
July 14th, 2022 at 8:43 am
I think he comes back but he really should stay retired.
July 14th, 2022 at 8:55 am
Let me see if I understand this correctly.
Ali Marpet says he’s done because he’s set for life and the concussions in 2022 scared him, and Buc fans believe and applaud him.
But Gronk says he’s done, and reports say he’s not healthy or fully recovered, and Buc fans don’t fully believe him and expect him back.
Okey doke…
July 14th, 2022 at 9:22 am
Suh.
July 14th, 2022 at 11:01 am
If I was a conspiracy theorist Id start the rumor Brady is setting up for a run with the Dolphins next yr. He is encouraging Gronk to retire and take a yr off, report injured. Meet him in Miami next yr while saving face in Tampa. And Rosenhaus is setting the table.
July 14th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
He’s not healthy right now sure. But he’s gonna heal later on and recover. He’s a fitness rat when he retired last time for a year and returned he was still in shape. He’s gonna come play one last time for Brady then both of them will finally hang up
July 14th, 2022 at 6:09 pm
TOTALLY AGREE with the ULTRA CLODHOPPER!!!
It WAS that Rams game!!! Gronk was hit soooo hard in the ribs. I could feel the hit myself. THAT. FINISHED. GRONK!!!! May God Bless you always and bring you the BEST!!! ♥️🏴☠️🏈♥️
July 17th, 2022 at 6:17 pm
How good is Cade Odom??
July 19th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Doesn’t Gronk have the distinction of being only player to catch a TD in 3 different countries….GO FOR 4 IN GERMANY