Rob Gronkowski Rumors: Bills Interested in Free Agent If TE Opts Against Retirement

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested in signing tight end Rob Gronkowski if he chooses to continue his NFL career.

Tim Graham of The Athletic reported the Bills reached out to Gronkowski when he was a free agent last offseason and remain interested despite his uncertain football future. The surefire Hall of Famer is from Amherst, New York, which is about 12 miles outside of Buffalo. 

Gronkowski rebuffed Buffalo's interest a year ago to return to Tampa Bay and play with Tom Brady. He recorded 55 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns in 2021 despite missing five games with injuries.

Brady's retirement this offseason perhaps paved the way for Gronk to finish his career near his hometown. While the 32-year-old has made no concrete decisions regarding his own future, Gronkowski did say in January he was leaning toward retirement.

"If they're like, 'Rob, you've got to decide right now, right this second if you're playing next year,' I would say no right now," he said. "I would be like, 'No, I'm not playing,'" Gronkowski told TMZ Sports.

Gronkowski previously retired in 2019 before returning with the Bucs a year later. 

Should he make the trip up North, Gronkowski would be an instant luxury in an offense that already includes Dawson Knox. Adding Gronk to the mix would give the Bills far more dynamism in their two-TE sets while also lessening Gronkowski's workload in terms of blocking.

If the money is right, there could be a solid fit for both sides.