Rob Gronkowski, the legendary tight end, revealed he once ignored a text from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who was trying to recruit him out of retirement.
Gronkowski’s Retirement and Burrow’s Plea
Rob Gronkowski, a future Hall of Famer, retired from the NFL twice, first in 2019 and again in 2021 after a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His initial retirement was reversed when Tom Brady, his longtime quarterback with the New England Patriots, joined the Buccaneers. Gronkowski helped Brady lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in the 2020 season. However, his second retirement proved more permanent, despite numerous attempts by teams and players to lure him back. One notable attempt came from Bengals star quarterback, Joe Burrow.
Rob Gronkowski poses with the Boston Marathon trophy.
The Untold Story of the Unanswered Text
Gronkowski revealed on the “DudesOnDudes” podcast that Burrow had texted him, expressing his admiration and desire for Gronkowski to join the Bengals. This occurred after Gronkowski publicly stated that Burrow was the quarterback he’d most like to play with, drawing comparisons between Burrow and Brady.
Joe Burrow walks to midfield before a game against the Ravens.
Gronkowski, however, chose to ignore the text. He explained that a previous incident, where a fan impersonated a teammate to get in touch with him, made him wary of unknown numbers. He simply assumed Burrow’s text was another prank. The truth only came out later when the two met at a social event and discussed the incident.
Burrow’s MVP-Caliber Season Amidst Team Struggles
Despite missing out on Gronkowski, Burrow has established himself as a top-tier quarterback. In the current season, he leads the league with 30 touchdown passes and boasts an impressive 3,337 passing yards with a 68% completion rate.
However, Burrow’s individual brilliance hasn’t translated into team success. The Bengals currently hold a disappointing 4-8 record. While Burrow and the offense perform exceptionally well, the team’s defensive struggles have hampered their progress.
The Bengals’ Defensive Woes
Cincinnati’s defense has been a major liability this season, significantly impacting the team’s ability to win games. Despite Burrow’s MVP-caliber performance and the offensive firepower provided by players like Ja’Marr Chase, the team’s defensive shortcomings continue to undermine their potential. The Bengals need to address their defensive issues to avoid squandering Burrow’s prime years and maximize the team’s offensive capabilities.
A Missed Opportunity?
The hypothetical pairing of Burrow and Gronkowski remains a tantalizing “what if” scenario for Bengals fans. While Gronkowski ultimately remained retired, Burrow’s recruitment attempt underscores his ambition and desire to elevate the Bengals to championship contention. The Bengals must now focus on building a stronger defense to complement their potent offense and unlock their full potential. The future of the franchise hinges on addressing this critical imbalance.
