Rob Gronkowski's Girlfriend Camille Kostek Doesn't Think TE Will Stay Retired

Rob Gronkowski retired for the second time this offseason, but his girlfriend, Camille Kostek, believes the tight end will return to the NFL at some point.

"I am an honest lady, and honestly, in my heart, I didn’t feel like this one is a forever one," Kostek told Andrew Holleran of Sports Illustrated. "So, I think maybe he'll come back again. I feel like him and Tom are just having fun like, 'Retired, not retired, retired, not retired.'"

Gronkowski announced his retirement in June and confirmed he would stay away in an interview with ESPN's Mike Reiss last week.

"I'm done with football," the 33-year-old told Reiss. "Love the game. Love the game. And definitely blessed with all the opportunities the game of football has given me. ... But done with football and stepping my feet into the business world and the business ventures."

Speculation remains that Gronkowski could come out of retirement, especially since he has done it once before.

The five-time Pro Bowler stepped away from the sport in 2019, only to return a year later to rejoin Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has spent his entire career playing with Brady, both with the Buccaneers and New England Patriots.

Considering Brady also retired earlier this offseason before he returned, it's difficult to rule out a similar move for Gronkowski.

Even his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, thought a return was possible.

"It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call," Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter in June. "This is just my opinion, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season."

Kostek represents another person close to Gronkowski who thinks he could be back in uniform at some point.

After totaling 55 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns last season, Gronk can still make an impact on the field. It will be up to him if he wants to do so again.