Rob Gronkowski reveals why he didn't return during 2022 NFL season

Tight end Rob Gronkowski has explained why he didn't return to chase a fifth career Super Bowl ring ahead of the upcoming playoffs. 

While speaking with Ryan Gaydos of Fox News Digital, Gronkowski admitted "it’s just cool" to be wanted by contenders even though he retired after the 2021 season. 

"I would say just one of a few out there to have teams call, and you can come back and play in the NFL," Gronkowski said of his situation. "So, that’s definitely a humbling experience. But the mindset is just not there. And I just enjoy my time off and am very content on where I am."

It was reported shortly before Christmas that Gronkowski contacted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in November about possibly returning to what was his NFL home during the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. In an interview with TMZ Sports, the 33-year-old revealed he "had a couple thoughts throughout the 17 weeks of football" about once again catching passes in meaningful games. 

"It was about Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, right around there where I was thinking about it, but I really never got the itch. It was just a couple of thoughts," Gronkowski told TMZ. He added that the "trigger was not gonna be pulled to go back and play football this year" because the desire "was not there."

The Buccaneers improved to 5-5 on the season ahead of their bye via a Week 10 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 13. After Week 12 on the night of Nov. 27, the Bucs were 5-6. 

Tampa Bay won the NFC South title with a record of 8-9 and will host the 12-5 Dallas Cowboys for a wild-card playoff game this coming Monday night. 

Gronkowski and Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady have repeatedly been linked in reports and rumors with the Las Vegas Raiders over the past couple of weeks. Both will be available to sign with any team as free agents when the new league year opens in March. 

"What if someone wanted to throw the whole salary cap at me, baby, or half of the salary cap, then you gotta think about it," Gronkowski told TMZ about potentially ending his second playing retirement this spring or summer. "Throw me some quarterback money. Then you're talking, so there's always a possibility."