Can Gronk Get Back To His Old Form Or Is This His New Normal?

In four games, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski has caught just nine balls totaling 88 yards. Gronk also hasn’t scored a single touchdown, and folks are starting to wonder if he’s over the hill. He did crush Chargers pass-rusher Joey Bosa with a solo block last week, but the numbers say he’s another Tampa retiree.

Gronkowski spoke to the media late September to discuss Tom Brady doubters, but it sounded like he was speaking more about himself.

Rob Gronkowski on Tom Brady: “There’s been people talking garbage about him since like, I started playing with him like 10 years ago, saying he didn’t have anything left in the tank. That’s just simply not true…” pic.twitter.com/H7Dob7jMRs

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) September 28, 2020

“Saying people he didn’t have anything left in the tank. That’s just not true,” Gronkowski said.

We don’t have any reason to root against Gronk returning to form, but the numbers show a tight end who isn’t catching the football. The Buccaneers are 3-1 and in first place, so if they can get some production out of Gronkowski, they can make up for some of their injuries.

Tampa’s injury report includes wide receivers Chris Godwin and Justin Watson, leaving a clear opening for the former pro-bowler. Most believed the year off in 2019 would work wonders for Gronk, but so far he doesn’t have his fastball.

Looks like Madden might have to change his hysterically overzealous 95 rating until he shows he can be something, that he’s not just a shell of his former self.

Tom Brady and the Bucs take on a top-5 defense in Chicago this week, and that might be problem. The G.O.A.T needs a shot in the arm from his 31-year-old tight end, but based on Weeks 1-4, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.