NFL free agency has no shortage of storylines, but this one is top of mind for fans in New England and those following the Patriots playoff chances.
Former Patriot Rob Gronkowski - retired since 2021 - is considering a return to the gridiron. Could he reunite with Robert Kraft and help bring along second-year QB Drake Maye? First, the Pats will have to beat out an AFC rival for Gronk's services.
BetMassachusetts.com - the top source for Massachusetts sports betting - developed hypothetical odds on Gronk's potential return to the NFL.
Team | Odds | Percent Chance |
Denver Broncos | +115 | 46.5% |
New England Patriots | +475 | 17.4% |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1000 | 9.1% |
Houston Texans | +1100 | 8.3% |
New York Giants | +1100 | 8.3% |
The Field | +1000 | 9.1% |
Odds not available on MA betting apps.
Hope is here. Call (800) 327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org
Play it smart from the start! Live Chat @ http://GameSenseMA.comThe Denver Broncos (+115) are our favorites to land Gronk out of retirement. Why The Mile High City? DenverSports.com's Cecil Lammey broke the news of Gronk's intention to return to the NFL, and listed the Broncos as a suitor with plenty of interest. Gronk is also training in Colorado this offseason to get back into fighting shape. The Broncos of course made the playoffs with rookie QB Bo Nix last season, and coach Sean Payton was a broadcast partner with Gronk at Fox Sports back in 2022.
Lammey reports Gronk is "ready for a mentorship role" to Nix (or perhaps the Pats' Drake Maye?).
A couple of usual suspects will also be in the running for Gronk. His past two teams - the Patriots (+475) and Buccaneers (+1000) - both could use his services.
Maye needs more talent in his receiving core, and even an aged Gronk would be an asset to what was a limited offense in 2024. The Patriots do still have Hunter Henry at tight end, but that's about where the skill level drops off outside Maye on that side of the ball. Of course, Gronk - second only to Tom Brady - remains incredibly popular with Patriots fans.
Gronk of course finished his career alongside Brady down in Tampa, helping the Bucs win their second Super Bowl title and hauling in two touchdowns in the Big Game. Brady is of course gone, but Bucs coach Todd Bowles was the defensive coordinator for that title run and knows what a healthy and motivated Gronk brings to the table. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has also come into his own in Tampa, and would welcome another threat to play alongside Mike Evans.
New Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley was Gronk's tight end coach with the Patriots. CJ Stroud also makes plenty of sense as a QB Gronk would come out of retirement to play for. Speaking of Gronk's former tight end coaches in NE, the Giants' Brian Daboll enters the year on the hot seat and could push the front office to pursue Gronk for veteran leadership.
USA Today photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea.
Author
Thomas Leary is a news editor and writer for BetMassachusetts.com. He previously worked at Sports Business Journal for over 6 years, where he helped identify emerging sectors across sports business, such as legalized gambling, and helped launch the publication’s digital newsletter division. Thomas lives in Charlotte, N.C.
Hope is here. Call (800) 327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org Play it smart from the start! Live Chat @ http://GameSenseMA.com
Hope is here. Call (800) 327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org Play it smart from the start! Live Chat @ http://GameSenseMA.com
Hope is here. Call (800) 327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.orgPlay it smart from the start! Live Chat @ http://GameSenseMA.com
Cited by leading media organizations, such as:
