Rob Gronkowski is returning to football, but not in the way that you might have hoped. Gronk will join FOX’s broadcast team for Sunday NFL broadcasts, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link) hear. 
Gronk retired this offseason, leaving a void in the Patriots’ offense. Granted, the Pats are still 5-0 without him, and even discarded Ben Watson before he could return from his suspension, but any offense would be bolstered by the presence of the future Hall of Famer.
Since retiring, Gronkowski has been open about his own openness to return to the game, eventually.
“My body feels good. I can even take it further physically, and I could play right now,” Gronkowski said in August.
Then again:
“Mentally, the desire to play just isn’t there. I would have to literally just feel that desire – just feel that mentally, that desire to play, to be back out there,” Gronk said. “Like someone is calling my name, I would have to feel that inside. I would have to feel that on a consistent basis. That’s the way I would entertain coming back to football.”
For the time being, the broadcast booth is as close as Gronk will get to the gridiron.
Well Jason Witten went to the booth and look where he ended up
TV wasn’t natural for Witten, so he didn’t get the connection to the game he thought he would.
Gronk I see being another version “Goose”. He be a great sideline guy and have that locker room feel to him
Agreed. I don’t know if Gronk would be all that great as one of the booth analysts, but I think he would be great as one of the sideline reporters who can interact with the coaches and players.
Just because one guy was bad doesn’t mean everyone will be. Gronkowski has a much bigger personality than witten which should help him to be better. Even with that he could still stink as most ex players usually do
I don’t think Gronk will stink at all, just think his personality and vibe will show more on the sideline.
He’d have a way to make players and coaches feel comfortable during sideline interviews
What are the chances some teams might not want Gronk on their sideline. They might be fearful that he still will call his old coach up after every game..
Just what Fox needs: another brain damaged meathead.
Is he in the booth or a pregame analyst? I’m seeing both out there. Great input madmanTX
I would be surprised if he doesn’t come back at some point. He’s only 30 but had a lot of injuries. After 3 more games (1/2 season) Brady might be calling him to say – LET’S GO!!!!
If your retired stay retired. Sounds like a lot of drama. Will he or will he not play again. Who cares.
Gronk and Joe Buck would be the worst combo EVER. My ears are bleeding already.
Agreed