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Until the New England Patriots take their first official snap on offense September 8th versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, speculation will continue with some fans believing that tight end Rob Gronkowski is not 100 percent retired. (And even then it won’t really quit.)
Back in June, a report claimed that no one, including the Patriots, believes Gronkowski will stay retired in 2019.
Heck, Gronk’s own girlfriend Camille Kostek said about him, “I think he is messing with everybody, then again he stumps me all the time so who knows? He could be pulling this out of the woodwork at some time. I would love to see him out there, but I am also respecting him taking this time for himself, healing up his body, and enjoying the time off.”
She’s right about one thing: he is definitely enjoying his time off.
As for whether he is really retired or just trying to avoid the pounding of training camp and waiting for the season to officially kick off before reversing course, Gronk himself added more fuel to the fire on the ESPYs red carpet Wednesday night when he appeared, at least to some, to tell Drew Brees, “I’m coming back.”
Gronk and Brees chopping it up on the red carpet #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/iDioPoqbNS
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 11, 2019
Yes, that is Captain Obvious photobombing the two NFL stars, and yes, Twitter sleuths immediately sprung into action trying to decipher precisely what Gronk told Brees, and what it could possibly mean.
NBC Sports Boston: Did Rob Gronkowski tell Drew Brees about NFL comeback at ESPYs? – https://t.co/jrLrsoT8yC
— Patriots News Feed (@PatsFans_News) July 11, 2019
Call me crazy but I swear to god Gronk said “Yeah I’m coming back” pic.twitter.com/kkFBrVQYAU
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) July 11, 2019
Did Gronk say he’s coming back?? 👀 https://t.co/zzLhqhABvc
— josh (@RifeJosh) July 11, 2019
Gronk absolutely says “Yeah I’m coming back”. https://t.co/mzevoe9wNi
— Toucher & Hardy (@toucherandhardy) July 11, 2019
Gronk coming out of retirement to team up with Brees? 👀👀 https://t.co/ruoyQiTrvm
— Connor Randel (@ConnorRandel) July 11, 2019
Did Gronk just tell Drew Brees he’s “coming back” at the ESPYS last night 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OWN5MpuOju
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) July 11, 2019
@Toucherandrich I swear I hear Gronk say “yeah I’m coming back.” https://t.co/mRrtlQrgQv
— Mark (@MarkACostine) July 11, 2019
Brady right now pic.twitter.com/zI7XKABAsT
— Joel Smith (@Snowblood701) July 11, 2019
Gronk is coming back mid season https://t.co/H4GvnQRML4
— Jim Stark (@ehiggs11) July 11, 2019
Captian obvious is obviously telling us gronks coming back pic.twitter.com/sv11dV38si
— DBG Gaming (DaBrettGibbs84) (@DBGGaming84) July 11, 2019
Sure, why not?
https://twitter.com/Stoker21/status/1149131746224549888