On Super Bowl week, former Patriots star Rob Gronkowski explained just how dejected he was during his final season on the field.
“I 100 percent lost a step (in my last year). I actually lost like three steps some games,” Gronk told Barstool Sports (Twitter link via WEEI’s Ryan Hannable). “I didn’t even want to be out there on the field. I was like, ‘Yo, I feel like complete ass. Coach, put Dwayne (Allen) in, I don’t even care.’ I was at that point.”
Gronk is retired, for now, but he continues to leave the door open, in case his motivation returns. The tight end’s latest comments shed some light on his mindset in his final games, however, so it might take a lot for Gronkowski to lace ’em up again.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Jets safety Jamal Adams says talks are underway with Gang Green, but ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini cautions that many hurdles remain. As Cimini understands it, Adams doesn’t just want to top Eddie Jackson‘s $14.6MM/year deal with the Bears – he wants to exceed it by a wide margin. Also, Cimini wouldn’t be surprised if Adams aims to surpass Earl Thomas‘ guaranteed mark of $32MM, which currently stands as the highest of any safety. The Jets, meanwhile, can control Adams for three years thanks to the franchise tag, so they won’t necessarily be in a rush to get something done. Adams, in turn, could theoretically drum up leverage with a holdout.
- Dolphins wide receiver Jakeem Grant will be healthy for OTAs, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. The dynamic returner was shut down in November with an ankle injury, but he’ll be good to go for the first year of his four-year extension that could pay up to $24MM.
- Tom Brady‘s cryptic Instagram post turned out to be fodder for a Super Bowl commerical in which he told fans that he’s “not going anywhere.” That means the Patriots star will return to the field, but not necessarily with the Pats. When Brady explores free agency, he’ll find tons of interest from other clubs, including the Raiders and Dolphins. Meanwhile, the Patriots are willing to give the superstar $30MM/year to stay.
Before he decides to hold out a season, Jamal needs to talk to LeVeon as to how much leverage that sitting out a year garnered him…..Not necessarily the best thing to do…..
That’s an interesting insight into Gronk’s mindset. The combination of him having felt that way towards the end and not playing for a year would make me think that it’s nearly a 0% chance he returns… If he gives a comeback a try, a couple of weeks of practice may bring back thoughts of how much less demanding it was for him to make money not playing.
I haven’t heard or read anything gronk has said that seems at all like he’s interested in coming back, the dude could make tons of money just showing up to party’s, I highly doubt if he thinks he lost 3 steps his mindset is on a comeback, writers need writing material I guess
Honestly surprised his mindset doesn’t entirely consist of dragging women to his cave and eating entire horses.
Bwady should retire and then he and Gronk can do a “Lurch and the Gronk” podcast.