After hiring new head coach Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos are hoping to get back on track after what was supposed to be a banner season devolved into a disgusting 5-12 finish.
They will need some help on offense, and that won’t only involve quarterback Russell Wilson getting into the wayback machine and playing like he did just a few years ago.
They could use another playmaker at the skill positions, and Payton perhaps wishes he could lure tight end Rob Gronkowski out of retirement.
@Broncos @RobGronkowski @TomBrady @NFLonFOX
Let the recruitment begin! pic.twitter.com/2upP9h8qsx— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) February 11, 2023
Payton is likely at least half-joking about this, and even if he were being totally serious, it’s hard to see Gronkowski suiting up again in the NFL.
He announced his retirement last June, and despite some entreaties from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he sat out all of this season.
There were some rumors Gronkowski may return to the Bucs for the 2023 campaign, but that possibility ended when Brady announced his own retirement just days ago.
The tight end first decided to call it quits in 2019, just months before Brady parted ways with the New England Patriots, where the two had been together for nine years.
Gronkowski is 33 years of age, and even though he has said that playing in the NFL has taken a toll on him physically and mentally, he still likely has some game left in him, as he had 802 yards and six touchdowns in 2021.
Many consider him to be the greatest to ever play his position, thanks to his unique combination of size, strength, athleticism, intelligence and big hands.
