TE Rob Gronkowski still working out at Buccaneers facility, hasn't confirmed future plans

Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady is still publicly a retired former NFL player as of Tuesday afternoon even though he's repeatedly mentioned as a potential target of multiple teams. Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht raised eyes when he remarked Tuesday he's "going to leave the light on" regarding a possible Brady return to the franchise this spring or summer. 

The future of star tight end Rob Gronkowski is even more in question on the opening day of March. The 32-year-old hasn't yet closed the door on staying with the Buccaneers another season even though they presumably won't have Brady under center later this year, but he teased ahead of Super Bowl LVI he'd like to play alongside Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals at some point. 

Per Chris Mason of Mass Live, Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Tuesday Gronkowski has been working out at the Buccaneers facility twice a week early into offseason activities. 

"We’ll see," Arians added about Gronkowski's future. 

As Michael David Smith notes for Pro Football Talk, Gronkowski staying in shape to try to land one final free-agency payday makes all kinds of sense even if he ultimately joins Brady in retirement, assuming the 44-year-old won't be playing for any team this fall. According to ESPN stats, Gronkowski finished the 2021 regular season fourth on the Buccaneers with 55 catches, third with 802 receiving yards, and second with six touchdown grabs across 12 games in his second campaign following his initial retirement in March 2019.