Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end to ever play the game, but it is time for him to leave the New England Patriots and retire.
Rob Gronkowski may be one of the most beloved players in Boston Sports. Gronk has a personality and is dominant at his profession. Sadly for the New England Patriots tight end, father time is dominating the tight end and it is time for Gronkowski to call it quits.
Gronkowski stands out in New England. Obviously, he is a physical presence, but also with his attitude. The New England Patriots are known for locking their lips and throwing away the proverbial key.
Apparently, those rules don’t apply to Gronk. His press conferences could probably work as a stand-up set.
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There’s a reason Gronkowski isn’t punished like other players who have been vocal in a similar way. Gronk is amazing at what he does.
No one was as dominant at the tight end position as Gronk was. At some points, he seemed unstoppable. You could triple team him and he would still find a way to bring the ball down.
This season has been an eye-opening experience for New England Patriots fans. The team hasn’t been as dominant as fans have expected. Some players have looked uncharacteristically bad as well, one of those being Rob Gronkowski.
The end zone has been a foreign land to Gronkowski who has had a down season overall. The goliath of tight ends seems to be finally feeling the effects of the vicious game.
So with that in mind here are 5 reasons Rob Gronkowski needs to retire.
1. His body is failing him
Rob Gronkowski’s ability to get injured has always affected him. Gronk dealt with injuries throughout college and they haven’t stopped in the NFL.
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This season has shown fans how much these injuries have taken a toll on the tight end. Gronkowski simply doesn’t look like the same player anymore. He looks skinnier and he isn’t able to gain separation from players.
It seems like Gronkowski is needing more and more time to get healthy and ready for games. Gronk scored a touchdown in New England’s first game of the season and didn’t score another one until Week 12.
The common trait of these events is that they come after long periods of rest. Gronkowski hadn’t played a full game in a long time in Week 1, and the tight end had 3 weeks of rest before Week 12.
It’s like watching an aging MMA fighter get back in the octagon. You just feel bad for Gronkowski. For his long-term health, he needs to leave the game.
2. Gronk already is the greatest
Rob Gronkowski could never play another down of football and still be the best tight end in the history of the game.
Gronk was an absolute beast. He could do everything the Patriots asked of him. He could deliver a devastating block on one play and make a sick one-handed catch on the next one.
Just by stepping on the field Rob Gronkowski changes the game. We still see this today. Defense’s have to pay attention to Gronk on every single play. They try to beat him up at the line and double-team him and their efforts can still be unsuccessful.
In just 110 games, Gronkowski has 506 catches, 7,683 yards, and 78 touchdowns. Those numbers are superb for a tight end.
Gronkowski has nothing left to prove. He will be a first ballot hall of famer and will be remembered by New England Patriots fans forever. He might as well get a head start on that speech.
3. Gronkowski can afford to retire
I just mentioned why statistically Rob Gronkowski can retire, but also he can afford to financially. Gronk is a money making machine.
A lot of players may stick around because they know that they have to survive for the rest of their lives on the money they make in the NFL. Gronkowski doesn’t have to deal with that problem.
Because of Gronkowski’s charming personality, he has found himself raking in endorsement money, as well as appearing on the silver screen.
Gronkowski’s post-football career is endless. He could be an analyst, an actor, or even a professional wrestler. Tell me you wouldn’t enjoy seeing Gronk in a wrestling ring.
Also, Gronkowski has been wise with his money. He has lived off his endorsement money for his entire NFL career. The tight end saves all the money he makes from his contract with the Patriots. I’m pretty sure Gronk won’t be a star who goes broke once they retire.
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The Patriots aren’t going to give him a major payday so why not make a similar amount without ruining your body.
4. Gronkowski has already won a Super Bowl
Dan Marino will be remembered for being a great quarterback, but for also never winning a Super Bowl championship. Rob Gronkowski doesn’t have to worry about that.
Gronkowski owns 2 Super Bowl rings. The tight end only appeared in one of those wins as he missed the famous 28-3 Super Bowl with an injury.
Gronk was pretty successful in his only appearance in the big game. Gronkowski had 6 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
It won’t really change things if Gronkowski wins another Super Bowl. It won’t make him any better of a player. He is just setting the bar higher for future tight ends.
One Super Bowl is all that Gronkowski needs. It’s not like he is entrenched in a battle with any other tight ends.
Tom Brady needed to win 5 Super Bowls to prove that he was the greatest of all time. Luckily for Gronk, he doesn’t have to attain that many championships.
5. Gronkowski isn’t good anymore
I will always be grateful that I got to witness Rob Gronkowski’s dominant years, but those days are long gone. We have seen it this season. Gronkowski isn’t the great player that he was before.
The only thing Gronkowski is good for now is taking the focus away from players like Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman.
Gronkowski isn’t able to gain separation from players like he once did. He struggles to get open and the stats prove that.
This season Gronkowski only has 32 catches for 504 yards and 2 touchdowns. His numbers haven’t been this low since his injury-shortened season in 2016.
So as much as I love Rob Gronkowski it is time for him to retire. There is no need for him to risk his long-term health when he won’t be receiving another large contract. The logical thing for Gronk to do is hang up his cleats, head to Hollywood, and start writing his hall of fame speech.