Tom Brady Won't Ask Rob Gronkowski to Come Out of Retirement

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Despite heavy speculation over whether Rob Gronkowski will come out of retirement, Tom Brady isn't fretting over the former tight end's potential return.

During Brady's weekly appearance on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show, he said he won't try to convince his former Patriots teammate to come back to the NFL.

"Look, I love that guy. I am so happy that he's enjoying his time. I am happy that he's enjoying his life." Brady said. "He seems to really be doing a lot of great things. He knows how I feel about him. I want what is best for him. He's the only person that can make those decisions. I don't lobby for those things.

"I have a great relationship with him. He has given actually a hell of a lot to our team already over the course of a long period of time, and I think people should be very appreciative for what he's brought to the team and what he's brought to the region. I think he's a very special guy. He's just in a different phase of his life."

Gronkowski made his debut as an analyst for Fox Sports last week after retiring from the NFL in March. During a press conference in August, the former Patriot told reporters he could physically return to football but was not mentally in a place to come back. He added that he does not see himself coming out of retirement any time in the "foreseeable future."

Gronkowski won three Super Bowls and was a four-time All-Pro in nine seasons with New England. He retired with the fourth-most touchdowns of any tight end, finding the end zone 79 times in 115 games. Gronkowski was as a second-round pick in 2010. 

He had 81 receptions and 12 touchdowns in 16 career playoff games and tallied six receptions for 87 yards in the Patriots' 13–3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII, despite injuring his thigh.