NFL Insider: “You Can Count On” Rob Gronkowski Returning to Patriots

People on the Patriots believe Gronk will be back this season

Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Veteran NFL insider Mike Freeman is not taking Rob Gronkowski at his word — and he’s not the only one.

The Bleacher Report scribe has a new report out that says the former Patriots tight end will come out of retirement this season and suit up for New England once again.

Gronkowski, who announced his retirement in an Instagram post in March, has adamantly denied he will be returning to the NFL at every turn. “Whatever I say, it doesn’t matter. It will always be crazy out there, but you can put them to rest,” Gronkowski said of rumors of a possible return to football. “I’m feeling good. [In a] good place. It’s great to be back here. Well, that settles that.”

Freeman isn’t buying it and says his sources, including individuals within the Patriots organization, aren’t either.

“The belief is that once the season gets going, and Gronkowski starts missing football, he will rejoin the team,” Freeman writes. “It’s not just a hunch, sources say; you can count on it.”

Former NFL fullback and current Good Morning Football commentator Michael Robinson also said the five-time Pro Bowler will be back this season.

“I mean, you never know what this New England Patriots team is in September,” Robinson said Monday. “They identify themselves in the first four or five weeks of the season. It’s training camp for them, right? I think Gronk doesn’t want to do training camp. That’s why he’s retired right now. I think he’s gonna have an itch to come back in October. I mean, just come in, practice a couple days and go play in the games and get the glory for winning games. Yes, Gronk’s numbers have been down here as of late in the couple of years. But every critical situation they’ve gone to Gronk in the big games and they’re gonna miss him in October.”

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