Tom Brady fans call on Rob Gronkowski to rejoin the Buccaneers after cryptic tweet

Six months into his second retirement, Rob Gronkowski fired off a cryptic tweet on Wednesday that sparked speculation of another comeback for the future Hall of Famer.

‘I’m kinda bored,’ wrote Gronkowski, a 33-year-old former tight end who won four Super Bowls alongside Tom Brady with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Naturally, Bucs fans called on Gronkowski to return to the team for a playoff push in the miserable NFC South.

Six months into his second retirement, Rob Gronkowski fired off a cryptic tweet on Wednesday that sparked speculation of another comeback for the future Hall of Famer

Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Buccaneers celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 7, 2021 in Tampa

‘Come back to the Bucs please!’ tweeted one fan. ‘We could use you to go win the Ship!’

‘Crazy idea hear me out,’ another joked, ‘go play football with Tom Brady.’

Despite their 6-8 record, the Bucs are in first place in the NFC South, meaning the team is poised for another playoff berth.

Of course, the 33-year-old Gronkowski would have options if he decided to make another comeback.

‘Bengals could use a TE to fit beside Hayden Hurst,’ a Cincinnati fan tweeted.

‘Lions could use a tight end,’ another fan added.

‘Come to Vegas’ a Raiders fan chimed in.

Another Twitter, the Random Recruiter, had a different suggestion for Gronkowski: ‘Learn how to code in JavaScript and I’ll find you a job.’

Naturally, Bucs fans called on Gronkowski to return to the team for a playoff push in the miserable NFC South, not to mention Bengals, Lions, and Raiders supporters 

Gronkowski has been rumored to be returning to the NFL almost since he retired before the summer. Even his longtime agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he wouldn’t be surprised to see the former Arizona star make his way back to the gridiron.

‘It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call,’ Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. ‘This is just my opinion but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season.’

Gronkowski previously retired as a member of the Patriots in 2018, citing a litany of injuries, but was persuaded to return with Tampa Bay when Brady signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 2020.

A second-round pick out of Arizona in 2010, Gronkowski went on to be named to five Pro Bowls and four All-Pro First Teams during his tenure in New England, where he won his first four Super Bowls. During that time he accumulated 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.

A fan with cutouts of Tampa players Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. LA Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Raymond James Stadium

Despite battling back injuries in New England, Gronkowski was mostly healthy over two seasons in Tampa, missing only four games and registering 1,205 receiving yards to go with 13 touchdowns.

He was particularly strong in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV win over the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs, catching six passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

Aside from football, the western New York State native has dabbled in comedy, endorses a number of products, and is frequently seen with his famous girlfriend, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Camille Kostek.

Following Gronkowski’s announcement, Bucs general manager Jason Licht called the tight end a ‘true professional’ in his own statement.

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (#87) is met by QB Tom Brady after scoring New England’s 2nd touchdown in the 1st quarter. The New England Patriots play the Denver Broncos in the 2012 AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough in 2011

‘He played a crucial part in our Super Bowl LV championship season in 2020 and battled through a number of injuries last year while on the way to one of the most productive receiving yardage seasons in his 11-year career,’ Licht said. ‘It is always difficult to see a great player walk away from the game when he is still enjoying that kind of success, but the overwhelming emotions I feel today are gratitude and respect for one of the greatest tight ends who ever played the game.

‘While his on-field accomplishments will surely earn him a gold jacket and a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it is his humble attitude and team-first approach to the game that truly defined his career.’

Gronkowski retires with 621 catches for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns in the regular season, and another 98 receptions for 1,389 yards and a tight end record of 15 touchdowns in the postseason. Over 11 seasons, he earned $70 million in NFL salary and had many endorsement deals.

Interestingly, he’s one of four Gronkowski brothers to play in the NFL, along with Glenn, Chris and Dan, all of whom were fullbacks. Their older brother, Gordie, played professional baseball in the minors and several independent leagues.

Their great grandfather, Ignatius Gronkowski, was a cyclist who raced at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

Rob Gronkowski attends the Ice Shaker’s Boats, Bottles, and Bros Media Event at The Tall Ship on July 12, 2022 in Boston