During his playing days, tight end Rob Gronkowski was one of the most dominant players in the NFL. He was a matchup nightmare, providing high-end value as a pass catcher, especially in the red zone. But, he was more than willing to do the dirty work as a blocker as well, clearing lanes for his running backs to run through.

Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL following the 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was the second time in his career that he retired from the league, as he also did so in 2018, sitting out the 2019 campaign.

However, when his quarterback, Tom Brady, ended up on the Buccaneers in 2020, Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement and followed him. Retirement was something he also contemplated after the 2017 season, which is what he used as part of his leverage to not get traded to the Detroit Lions during the 2018 offseason.

His retirement this time around seems like it is going to stick. Rob Gronkowski has been popping up on pregame shows and doing things that fit his personality, seemingly loving the retirement life.

However, during a recent appearance on Up and Adams, Rob Gronkowski said he wishes he could still play, joking that he is washed up. Kay Adams asked him which coach would have the best chance to get him out of retirement and his answer will surprise some people.

It wouldn’t be for a former team such as the New England Patriots or Buccaneers. Instead, if Rob Gronkowski were going to come out of retirement, it would be for the New York Giants and head coach Brian Daboll. 

Daboll and Rob Gronkowski worked closely together for four seasons with the Patriots. From 2013-2016, Daboll was the team’s tight ends coach before moving on to become the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama.

Their relationship must have been a good one that Rob Gronkowski said Daboll is the only coach he would consider coming out of retirement for.