TAMPA, Florida – The “Tommy and Gronky Show” will be back for another season if the two succeed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski said on Sunday that he wants to return in 2021 after coming out of retirement to join best friend Tom Brady this season.
“Yes, you do,” Gronkowski said on Sunday in an interview with former patriot Willie McGinest on the NFL Network. “I feel like this team was built to win now. It was built this year to win now. It always comes to your mind; you’re thinking a little bit about the future – I can definitely see this team also having a lot of talent coming back and having another successful race next year, too, with me. “
Gronkowski was asked 11 days ago if he would return. But at the time, he was unable to answer definitively.
“It’s just the start of the playoffs now,” said Gronkowski, before Tampa Bay’s wild card victory over Washington, a game in which he didn’t have a single catch but played a key role in keeping Brady clean in his pocket. “There is always a time for that. The time to think about it is after the season is over.”
It turns out that he has made up his mind, even with the Bucs still in the playoff contest, facing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in the NFC divisional round, a team that beat them 2-0 in the regular season.
“This time it has to be different,” said Gronkowski. “We were not very successful against them, especially in the second game. They absolutely gave us a beating. But the third time is a charm. We have to go there and we have to play our best football if we want a chance to win.”
Brady and Gronkowski also have a chance to break Joe Montana and Jerry Rice’s post-season record for most touchdowns between a QB and the receiving target.
“It’s time [to break that tie], “Gronkowski said.” We are in the playoffs. It didn’t happen last week. I’m having another chance this week. You know I’m going for this, baby. You know we are going for that record. … has to happen. “
The Bucs have several key players set to become unrestricted free agents after the season at Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Leonard Fournette, Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David and Ndamukong Suh, but they will have about $ 30 million in salary cap space – eighth – the majority in the league.
Gronkowski was also asked about the difference between Bruce Arians and Bill Belichick.
He said: “Both are excellent coaches for sure. I love being coached, but one of the biggest things I would say is … freedom! The freedom to be yourself with the coaches.”