Rapoport: Gronk seriously considering retirement after 2018

[maineman209]

That's what you all said a year ago and then it turned out that he really was going to be traded and really was thinking about retirement.

Given that he's already strongly considered retirement (and that was before going through an injury-riddled year), I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the reports as just "speculation".

So, if these reports are not "speculation", are they fact?

 

[RayClay]

I might be in the minority but I think the last few weeks they have been conserving Gronk as hes been banged up.

His physical abilities have degraded with age but hes still a top 5 TE healthy.

I think the bye week was huge for him.

I expect a very good Gronk Day today.

I agree. He had a spring in his step and made a shoe top catch against the Jets. Obviously doesn't prove anything but, if you have nerve pain in your back you look tense and kind of weary, like he did in the middle of the season. It can flare up and go away later, so let's hope.

 

[maineman209]

I might be in the minority but I think the last few weeks they have been conserving Gronk as hes been banged up.

His physical abilities have degraded with age but hes still a top 5 TE healthy.

I think the bye week was huge for him.

I expect a very good Gronk Day today.

OTOH, the Chargers are supposedly #1 in the league at defending TE receiving. If today doesn't work out to be a "very good Gronk Day", it might not be entirely on Gronk.

 

[DeviantRebel442]

For the first time this is neither surprising nor concerning. Unless he can turn back time losing 2019 Gronk is not losing that much.

He has been a HUGE help in the pass rush and staving it off and will be essential again today. Don't be so quick to dismiss. If we lost him we would feel it in every capacity next year.

 

[primetime]

OTOH, the Chargers are supposedly #1 in the league at defending TE receiving. If today doesn't work out to be a "very good Gronk Day", it might not be entirely on Gronk.

James can shut down a tight end or a receiving back... but not both, and Addae is a liability. If it's not a big Gronk game receiving, then it will be a big James White game (and vice versa).

 

[TheRainMaker]

I’m hoping my prediction comes true that Gronk was purposely coasting in the season to preserve himself for the playoffs where he’ll then flip a switch.

Definitely don’t want to see “Gronk the friendly ghost”.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That's what you all said a year ago and then it turned out that he really was going to be traded and really was thinking about retirement.

Given that he's already strongly considered retirement (and that was before going through an injury-riddled year), I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the reports as just "speculation".

TBF, though, I think it was a matter of "s—t or get off the pot": the Patriots needed to know his plans, and he was noncommital. I bet if he had chosen to retire before this season, the Pats would have taken a TE a lot earlier than the seventh round.

 

[Bonzo]

Getting a good look at Kelce last night, I couldn't help but think, that dude is really good... but, statistics notwithstanding, nowhere even remotely as explosive as an in-his-prime Gronk.

And if old Gronk makes an appearance today, I feel the Chargers are completely boned.

 

[hornetfb85]

 

[Kontradiction]

I think this time around, he probably goes through with it. He’s cooked. His playing style is what made him great but it also severely shortened his career. He just looks like a guy whose injuries have caught up with him.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Of course he's retiring.
BB tried to trade him.

Gronk said he would retire before being traded.'

It doesn't take a genius to figure that out.

I think he meant more in the way that Brady is his QB. Does this mean Brady may be considering retiring too (just kidding).

Gronk has been smart with his money and his body has taken on quite a bit of damage. Nothing wrong with quitting with your remaining health.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Whatevah!
Looking fwd to seeing Gronk in his last 3 appearances.

 

[Guts]

Greatest TE of all time

Just give us 3 more games Gronk

 

[Coolade2]

Gronk retirement talk... Love it


Rapaport...NFL Network.. keep that chat going.. pipe it into LA locker room too. Thx.

Watch the dude go off... Like 7catches. 120, 2tds...

 

[VectorPrime]

He might

Doesn’t make the very real signs that this is his last year any less legitimate.

 

[Coolade2]

Patterson also flying under radar.. let's go mcD.... ! Get these guys going ! It's all about the game plan strategy..

Who's your target today..? Hmmmm..

 

[Jangles]

Rapaport...NFL Network.. keep that chat going.. pipe it into LA locker room too. Thx.

Watch the dude go off... Like 7catches. 120, 2tds...

You’re acting as though Gronk hasn’t looked like a shell of his former self.

He looks like he’s one bad hit away from an old folks home and a handicapable van

 

[RayClay]

He might

Doesn’t make the very real signs that this is his last year any less legitimate.

What real signs, that he had a back flare up?

 

[Huckleberry1]

Can’t blame him, he’s been battling serious injuries for half his life.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Top of the TE class actually looks pretty good. I think you will see them take a TE in the first two rounds.