Rob Gronkowski on Retiring, Almost Being Traded to Detroit, and Joining Tampa Bay

Reasons for Retirement from New England

• 🤕 Rob Gronkowski felt physically beat up during his final two years with the New England Patriots, struggling to recover from games by the following Saturday.
• 😩 The joy of playing diminished, making the weekly grind of practices and games feel miserable, which he identifies as a common reason for players to retire.
• 💡 He sought a different scenario, including new recovery methods and workouts, to stay on top of his game.

Transition to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• ☀️ Moving to Tampa Bay offered a more laid-back, "country club" atmosphere compared to New England, which he enjoyed.
• 🤝 The decision to join the Buccaneers was a collective one, with both Tom Brady and the organization expressing their desire for him to play.
• ✅ He felt good physically and believed he had more to offer, with all the necessary conditions aligning for his return.

Contractual Flexibility and Incentives

• 🗓️ Tampa Bay provided veteran players with days off, including giving Gronk Fridays off for both seasons, which he credits for his ability to play at a high level.
• 💰 He highlights how the Buccaneers organization prioritized players earning their contract incentives, even drawing up plays to help him achieve a specific catch milestone.
• ❌ In contrast, he never had such incentives in his New England contracts and missed most of them in his final year.

Near Trade to Detroit Lions

• 🗣️ Following a tough season in New England, Gronkowski was vocal about his dissatisfaction, leading to him not answering calls from the organization.
• 🚗 He was informed of a potential trade to the Detroit Lions, where he then-coach Matt Patricia was interested in acquiring him.
• 🚫 Upon hearing about the trade, Gronk immediately stated he couldn't be traded as he was retired, effectively nullifying the deal.

Final Year and Super Bowl Victory

• 💪 He decided to play one more year in New England, feeling his "business wasn't done" and that it wouldn't feel right to end his career with another team.
• 🏆 This decision led to a Super Bowl LIII victory with the Patriots, which he considers his last game with the team and a fitting end.
• 🤕 Despite physical wear and tear, the primary reason for his struggles in that final year was the overall negative "aura" within the organization, not just physical limitations.