NFL Week 16 Special Prop: Rob Gronkowski’s Next Team Odds

The NFL is often referred to as the No Fun League because it doesn’t allow athletes to be themselves in terms of, say, if they want to wear special shoes to honor someone or when touchdown celebrations get flagged for taunting. The NFL is a corporation like any other big business and treats its players as stay-in-line employees.

No doubt one of the most fun players in recent memory was former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski. “Gronk” was a fan favorite not just in those cities but even as a visiting player because he’s a big knucklehead who likes to have fun and doesn’t take life too seriously.

Don’t let that overshadow that Gronkowski might be the best receiving tight end of all-time. In 11 seasons, he was a four-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time first-team All-Pro pick and selected to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. The last tight end to lead the NFL in touchdown catches in a season was Gronk in 2011 with 17, a record for his position.

Gronkowski, who would have put up even bigger numbers if not for several major injuries (he played every possible regular-season game in only 2010, ’11 and ’20), finished his career with 621 catches for 9,286 yards and 92 TDs and holds nearly every possible postseason record for a tight end.

There’s little doubt that Gronkowski will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2027 after retiring following the 2021 campaign. But is he retired? Let’s break down a prop on where Gronk could play next.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) stands on the sidelines during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari)

Admits Boredom

While Gronkowski has claimed is NFL career is over, his own agent Drew Rosenhaus is on record saying he wouldn’t be surprised if he played again. This week, the 33-year-old caused a bit of a stir by tweeting “I’m kinda bored.” That led to speculation he could suit up for the postseason. Because he’s a free agent, Gronk can sign with any team at any time and isn’t limited by the usual rules and deadlines for coming off the reserve-retired list.

Gronkowski seems set on sitting out this year but admitted two teams reached out and hasn’t shut the door completely. Gronkowski first retired in 2019 before returning in ’20 after Tom Brady asked him to join him with the Buccaneers.

That Gronk’s next team is the Bucs is a +150 favorite (doesn’t have to be this season). He only has played with Brady in his career, and if TB12 comes calling for one last postseason ride, it might be tough to turn down. The Bucs are struggling but still lead the NFC South and should make the playoffs.

Buffalo is a +300 second favorite, and the Bills did contact Gronkowski ahead of the 2021 season before he decided to re-sign with Tampa Bay. Note that Gronk was born in the greater Buffalo area.

The remaining favorites on this prop are Philadelphia (+400) and Dallas (+450), Super Bowl contenders along with the Bills. No team likes to collect big stars/personalities more than the Cowboys under Jerry Jones. That Gronkowski returns to New England is a +2000 long shot, but he didn’t exactly leave there under the best of terms.