Patriots' Rob Gronkowski Says He's 'All In' Amid Retirement Questions

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski addressed retirement questions in a Thursday press conference, saying he's "all in for the rest of this year," per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

The nine-year veteran has amassed 45 catches, 658 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games. Those are good numbers for most tight ends, but Gronkowski has been one of the best offensive weapons in the game (tight end or otherwise) for nearly the entirety of his career. That in part has raised talk of whether Gronkowski would hang it up after 2018.

The two-time Super Bowl champion told the media on Thursday that retirement isn't on his mind, however.

"I haven't thought about that. We got this big game Sunday, still, and the playoffs after, so that's the last thing on my mind right now. I love the grind. I'm all in. I've been all in all season -- no matter if it's been up, if it's been down. And I'm going to tell you this right now, I'm going to be all-in for the rest of the year no matter what it is. That's my main focus, no matter how it goes."

Retirement chatter has followed Gronkowski since last season's Super Bowl, when there wasn't any conversation about the five-time Pro Bowler slowing down. That continued into April, but Gronkowski eventually announced he was coming back.

However, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk brought up retirement again in November as he went on WEEI Radio and said it was a possibility if Gronkowski didn't get a new contract. Gronkowski's declining performance this season fueled the talk, and Thursday's chat with reporters only extended it.

If Gronkowski decides to hang up his cleats, he'll leave the game as one of its best tight ends ever, if not the best. His 90-catch, 1,327-yard, 17-touchdown season in 2011 (on a 72.6 percent catch rate) is arguably one of the best single-season statistical performances put forth by any offensive player in league history. Gronk's touchdown and yardage totals are No. 1 all time among tight ends in history.

For now, Gronkowski has a game against the New York Jets on Sunday to worry about. A Pats win seals the AFC's No. 2 seed and home-field advantage in the divisional round at minimum.