Rob Gronkowski: I'm Not Coming Back To The Patriots This Year

Part of what has fueled the never-ending speculation about Rob Gronkowski coming back to the Patriots this season is the future Hall of Fame tight end's refusal to rule it out. But that's exactly what Gronkowski did Tuesday morning amidst reports the team was looking to bring in reinforcements at the position.

Gronkowski was asked straightaway by a caller on WEEI about whether he would return to New England this season. The caller wanted a yes-or-no answer — and got one.

"It would be a no. There it is," Gronkowski said. "But I never say no, because I said no and everyone said ‘he’s kidding.’ It’s a no. In my mind, that’s how it is, a no."

Gronkowski didn't specifically rule out ever returning to the team — he said he "would have to be feeling it" to make a comeback — but it's clear that he won't be a Patriot for the 2019-20 season.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft gave additional legs to the potential return of Gronkowski when he said Thursday night the 30-year-old had not yet filed his retirement papers.

Gronkowski has remained in the spotlight since retiring in March. In August he held a press conference to announce his endorsement of CBD, touching on the myriad injuries he's suffered in his career. On Thursday he made his first appearance as an NFL analyst for Fox.

Even if the Patriots were holding out any hope for the return of Gronk, they seemed ready to move on. The team is reportedly re-signing veteran tight end Ben Watson and signing former Jets tight end Eric Tomlinson.