Rob Gronkowski Intends To 'Dip Toes' In Free Agency

It's pretty clear that tight end Rob Gronkowski would never leave Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Gronkowski says he's at least going to pretend he might.

“I definitely want to be back with the Buccaneers. That’s where my eyesight is. That’s where I’m leaning toward, big time,” Gronkowski told Kyle Brandt of The Ringer. “But with the free agency process, you just never know what may happen.

"There’s some other teams interested out there, too. I’ve also never been a part of the free agency process, so I actually want to dip my toes in, just to see what’s out there.”

Gronkowski recently told TMZ Sports he is indeed returning next season.

“I’m back, man!” he said. “I will be back playing football, man. I love the game of football. I loved playing last year. I had a great time.”

He caught two touchdown passes in the Buccaneers' 31-9 hammer job of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. And guess what? He's already preparing for next year.

“Let me tell you, I was a little bit sore first day of training, but it bounced back like that,” he told TMZ. “I’m feeling good.”