Rob Gronkowski planning to return to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, might coach Arizona’s spring game

Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement in 2020 so he could reunite with his buddy Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Things are going so well in Florida that Gronk plans to return to the Buccaneers in 2021 so they can run it back.

“Yeah, you gotta,” Gronkowski said Sunday in an interview with Willie McGinest on NFL Network. “I feel like this team was built to win right now. It was put together this year to win right now. It always pops up in your mind, you’re thinking about the future a little bit. I can definitely see this team also having a lot of talent come back and having another successful run next year as well with me.”

The Bucs went 11-5 in the regular season and play in the NFC Divisional Round against the Saints on Sunday with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.

Gronkowski has struggled with injuries in the past, but was able to play in all 16 games this regular season, catching 45 passes for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. Not his best season, but a solid one. The Bucs have so many weapons for Brady to throw to, including Pro Bowl wide receivers Mike Evans and Antonio Brown.

Gronk will have to sign a new contract first. The former Arizona Wildcat is in the final year of six-year, $54 million deal that he originally signed with the New England Patriots, with whom he spent his first nine years in the league, made five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls.

If Gronk is looking for something to do this offseason, new Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch is thinking of inviting him back for the spring game as a head coach: