Gronkowski retires, won’t join Brady for third season

TAMPA, FLA. » Rob Gronkowski won’t be joining Tom Brady for a third season with the Buccaneers.

The four-time All-Pro tight end announced his retirement for the second time in three years on Tuesday. In an Instagram post,

Gronkowski thanked teammates and coaches over the years and said he’s going back to “chilling out.”

Gronkowski won four Super Bowls with Brady, including three in New England.

“I want to thank the whole entire first class Buccaneers organization for an amazing ride, trusting me to come back to play and help build a championship team,” Gronkowski wrote on Instagram. “I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field. The friendships and relationships I have made will last forever, and I appreciate every single one of my teammates and coaches for giving everything they had as well.”

The 33-year-old retired in 2019 after nine seasons with the Patriots, but returned in 2020 when Brady went to the Bucs. The close friends teamed up to help Tampa beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes in that game.

“Love you as a man, teammate and friend,” Brady wrote on Gronkowski’s post. “One of a kind in every way.”

The Bucs and Brady were hoping Gronkowski would play another season. But Tampa prepared for his departure in the draft by selecting tight ends Cade Otton in the fourth round and Ko Kieft in the sixth round.