TAMPA, Florida – The “Tommy and Gronky Show” will be back one more season if the two have their way.
Rob Gronkowski of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said Sunday he wants to return in 2021 after retiring to join best friend Tom Brady this season.
“Yeah, you have to,” Gronkowski said Sunday in an interview with expatriate Willie McGinest on the NFL network. “I think this team has been built to win right now. It was created this year to win right now. It always comes to mind; you’re thinking a little bit about the future – I can definitely see this team also have a lot back talent and having another successful career next year, too, with me. “
11 days ago Gronkowski was asked if he would return. But then he could not answer definitively.
“Now is just the start of the playoffs,” Gronkowski said, before Tampa Bay’s wild card victory over Washington, a game in which he had no catches but played a key role in keeping Brady clean in his pocket. “There’s always a time for that. The time to think about it is after the season is over.”
It turns out that it has already been decided, even with the Bucs still hunting for the playoffs, to face New Orleans Saints Sunday in the NFC divisional round, a team that swept them 2-0 in the regular season.
“This time it has to be different,” Gronkowski said. “We didn’t really have as many hits against them, especially in the second game. They absolutely assaulted us. But the third time is a charm. We have to go out and play our best football if we want the chance to win.”
Brady and Gronkowski also have a chance to break Joe Montana and Jerry Rice’s postseason record in most touchdowns between a QB and the receiving goal.
“It ‘s time [to break that tie]”Gronkowski said.” We are in the playoffs. It didn’t happen last week. This week I have another chance. You know I go for it, girl. You know we’re going to get this record. … It has to happen. “
The Bucs have several key players who will become unrestricted free agents after the season in Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Leonard Fournette, Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David and Ndamukong Suh, but will have about $ 30 million in salary cap (eighth) most of the league.
Gronkowski was also asked about the difference between Bruce Arians and Bill Belichick.
He said, “They’re both great coaches, sure. I love coaching, but one of the biggest things I would just say is … freedom! The freedom to be yourself with coaches.”