Rob Gronkowski never completely closed the door on returning to the New England Patriots, even after stepping away from the team. The former tight end said he always kept the possibility in the back of his mind.

“When I retired from the New England Patriots, I did not fully check out mentally. I always knew that there could be a possibility of me coming back if everything lined up perfectly,” Gronkowski said on Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, via YouTube.

The idea comes after the Patriots defense recorded 35 sacks last season. Their need for help up front has also grown with Harold Landry III starting the year on the PUP list. Landry led New England with 8.5 sacks in 2025 and will miss at least the first four games.

“There is something that matters the most, and it's if you checked out mentally or not,” Gronkowski said on the Up & Adams Show on September 3.

Gronkowski spent his first nine seasons with New England, catching 74 passes for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns from Brady during their time together. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, although he was inactive for Super Bowl LI.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has predicted that New England could make a move for New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, with a 2027 second-round pick reportedly going back to New York.

New England already signed Dre'Mont Jones to a three-year, $36.5 million deal and selected Gabe Jacas in the second round. Thibodeaux, meanwhile, has 23.5 sacks in four seasons, including 11.5 in 2023, according to Heavy.

For a Patriots team coming off an AFC Championship season, the question may simply be whether the right deal can be found.

While Gronkowski looks back on his time in New England, the Patriots are now focused on building their roster for the 2026 season.

What’s next for Rob Gronkowski in New England?

Rob Gronkowski is set to return to New England later this year, this time to take his place among the Patriots' greats.

The former tight end will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame on Nov. 7 at Patriots Place Plaza, becoming the 38th member. The ceremony comes one day before the Patriots host the Packers, with Tom Brady on the FOX call.

“When I did fall asleep, and I had an outrageous interview…outlandish. There's no doubt about that,” Gronkowski said in April, according to Mass Live.

Gronkowski joined New England as a second-round pick in 2010.

After retiring following the 2018 season because of injuries, Gronkowski eventually returned alongside Brady in Tampa Bay.

They won another Super Bowl together, giving Gronkowski four championships before he retired for good in 2022.

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Rudra Dubey