Odds Say Rob Gronkowski Will Not Use Tuesday’s “Big Announcement” to Come Out of Retirement

• Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL last March after nine injury-plagued NFL seasons
• The three-time Super Bowl champion is promising to make a “big announcement” on Instagram on Tuesday morning
• The odds of Gronk using the announcement to un-retire have been set at a long +700

Rob Gronkowski sure knows how to capture headlines. The three-time Super Bowl champion set the football world abuzz on Monday with a cryptic Instagram post promising a “big announcement” on Tuesday morning, which has fueled speculation that the 30-year-old will come out of retirement and make a return to the NFL this season.

Despite the excitement that Gronk has created among fans of both the New England Patriots and, yes, the Dallas Cowboys, the odds of the four-time All-Pro tight end announcing a return to the gridiron on Tuesday morning lag at a distant +700 in the NFL specials.

Odds Rob Gronkowski Announces His “Unretirement” on Tuesday Morning

Odds taken Nov. 18

Gronkowski Ended Nine-Year Career in March

Gronkowski ended his NFL career this past March, stating that he no longer found any joy in the game. In addition to taking a toll on his mental health, Gronkowski’s nine seasons in the NFL took a definite physical toll. In addition to multiple back injuries that he has stated left him in constant pain, Gronkowski also fractured his forearm twice, suffered a torn ACL, a torn MCL, a bruised lung, and at least two concussions over the course of his 131-game career.

Not surprisingly, he remained a longshot to rejoin the Patriots ahead of the 2019 season.

Rob Gronkowski, tearing up, on his retirement: “Football had me down. I didn’t like it.” pic.twitter.com/RsmJOCuN0B

— Avery Yang (@avery_yang) August 27, 2019

But always the consummate showman, Gronkowski has courted the spotlight since his retirement. In addition to joining Fox Sports as an NFL analyst, Gronkowski has also pursued new business ventures, most notably his partnership with Abacus Health Products, makers of CBDMEDIC topical pain relief products.

Gronkowski to Dallas?

There has been no shortage of fans hoping to see Gronkowski return to the gridiron, and No. 89 contributed to the buzz on Sunday by sharing a video from Tom Brady created three years ago titled, “RECEIVERS… ASSEMBLE!!!” while asking his former quarterback, “do you think this thing still works?!!”

But the best hints as to whether Gronk plans to stage a comeback can be found in his newfound business relationships.

? Rob Gronkowski on Fox pregame: "I feel like the Cowboys could use a tight end like myself … I'm just saying that if they had one to go up into the red zone, they would be winning games."

— Damon R. Marx (@DamonMarxDMN) November 17, 2019

Gronkowski fueled speculation that he may elect to return to the gridiron as a member of the Dallas Cowboys with his comments on Fox’s pre-game coverage on Sunday morning, suggesting the struggling Cowboys could use a tight end like him.

And he’s not wrong.

Total Routes Run:

Jason Witten – 226

Blake Jarwin – 90

Number of 20+ Yard Receptions:

Jason Witten – 2

Blake Jarwin – 5

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) November 13, 2019

The duo of Blake Jarwin and Jason Witten have struggled this season, producing just two total touchdowns since Week 2, and combining for just 123 receiving yards and no scores over the past two games. However, with Dallas sporting limited cap space, and no guarantee of a playoff berth, any return to action would likely be with his old pals in New England.

Cannabis Ban a Stumbling Block

The other obstacle in the way of a return is his association with CBDMEDIC, the use of which remains banned by the NFL. Gronkowski has been vocal about his use of CBD products as part of his recovery, and has publicly stated his intention to continue using them if he were to resume his career, even if it meant risking suspension.

Rob Gronkowski announces CBDMEDIC partnership with Gillette Stadium & Patriot Place https://t.co/yiUQT4rHVB pic.twitter.com/nRqk4ZuKUX

— SportsGridUK (@Sportsgriduk) October 25, 2019

But with CBDMEDIC getting no closer to an NFL stadium than the company’s ad featuring Gronk’s image that currently adorns a water tower overlooking Gillette Stadium, it is more likely than not that Tuesday morning’s announcement will be all about further promoting CBDMEDIC, education consumers on its benefits, and moving the needle ever so slightly towards its use being accepted by the NFL and other professional sports leagues.

Pick: No (-1500)