Rob Gronkowski confirms he won't return to Buccaneers to help Tom Brady

Retired tight end Rob Gronkowski is doing all he can to make it clear he's not returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to help quarterback Tom Brady. 

"Retirement is retirement this time," Gronkowski told Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital about stepping away from football earlier this year. "It feels good, man." 

Without Gronkowski, Brady and the Buccaneers sit at 6-7 on the season but are nevertheless in first place thanks to playing in the dreadful NFC South division. According to ESPN stats, the Tampa Bay offense ranks 28th in scoring and is averaging a paltry 17.2 points per game. 

While Gronkowski admitted to Thompson he remains close with his former teammate and "best friend," that shouldn't lead anyone to believe the 33-year-old wants to chase a fifth career Super Bowl ring as a member of the Buccaneers in January. 

"I’ve talked to him a little bit," Gronkowski said about his relationship with Brady. "We’re just friends, we just love to talk and chat about things going on in life and all that stuff. I’m leaving his football troubles, I left them so I don’t have any football troubles. I’m leaving him all on his own." 

Gronkowski recently served as an in-studio analyst for "NFL Fox Sunday" and subsequently campaigned for Brady to join him at the network sooner rather than later. The signal-caller is reportedly set to become the lead NFL analyst for Fox whenever he retires, but Gronkowski thinks "doors would be open" if Brady wants to continue playing next season. 

Specifically, Gronkowski said a return to the Buccaneers, re-joining the New England Patriots and signing with the San Francisco 49ers could all be realistic options for Brady when the new league year begins in March 2023. 

Tampa Bay hosts the 9-4 Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday.