Speaking at a press conference announcing his partnership with CBDMedic, former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski opened the door for a return to football for the first time since he retired this offseason.
“It could be the case in six months, it could be the case in two years, it could be in three years,” Gronkowski said via Albert Breer. “… But I truly don’t see it in the foreseeable future.”
Gronkowski added he was now pain-free because of CBD and called on the NFL to change its policies toward the substance. He acknowledged the pain played a significant role in his decision to retire, saying he was “in tears in my bed after a Super Bowl victory.”
“I want to be clear to my fans. I needed to recover,” Gronowski said via Scott Davis. “I was not in a good place. Football was bringing me down … I am very satisfied with where I am in life now.”
Gronkowski reiterated he doesn’t foresee a return to the field coming this season, as he still hasn’t regained the passion needed to mentally make it through the grind of the season.
“Physically, I could do it,” Gronkowski said via Ian Rapoport. “But mentally, it’s not there. … If I’m just enjoying my life… maybe never.”
Gronkowski announced his retirement on March 24 after taking some time following the season to mull his options. Gronkowski could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in the coming years.
After the announcement, however, Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus publicly speculated that the tight end could return at some point during the 2019 season. Gronkowski has said he has no plans for a comeback but some close to him have estimated there’s a “40 percent chance” he returns.
The Patriots placed Gronkowski on the reserve/retired list, which allows them to maintain his rights should he choose to unretire.
Gronkowski, 29, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2010. He was in the sixth year of his eight-year, $55.23 million contract that included $13.17 million guaranteed.
For his career, Gronkowski has caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards receiving and 79 touchdowns for the Patriots over the course of nine seasons and 115 games. He has been a five-time Pro Bowler and a made four first-team All-Pros. He was also the Comeback Player of the Year in 2014.
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