Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski's return to football was hinted at by former Patriots great Willie McGinest on Instagram late Saturday night. The post shows Gronkowski playing catch, and the caption indicates that big news about a comeback will "drop tomorrow night."

Fantasy Impact

Obviously, this could mean anything and, in the video, McGinest mentions a 'quarterback comeback.' Drew Bledsoe can also be seen in the video, and his return to football is highly unlikely. Regardless, stay tuned for whatever announcement McGinest is teasing on Sunday night.

Rob Gronkowski leaves the door open for a return to football down the line. It won't happen "in a week or a month" but could happen in the future, said Rob Gronkowski.

Fantasy Impact

If Gronk were to return, he would need some time to get himself into football shape, and could make an impact mid-season. Earlier reports stated that Gronk had a 40 percent chance of returning, but his latest comments might have increased those odds. Gronk currently seems committed to staying away from the game, but this could change as the NFL season draws closer. He noted Tuesday that "for the first time in more than a decade, (he is) pain-free." Gronk finished with 47 catches, 682 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games last season.

Rob Gronkowski chances of returning to play for the Patriots this season is 40 percent, according a "source close to Rob Gronkowski"

Fantasy Impact

Gronk is down 18 pounds this off-season and hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning at some point in the season. He is expected to at least sit out training camp and the preseason. If he does return, Gronkowski would need some time to get himself into football shape, and could make an impact mid-season. Gronk could miss playing enough to at least contemplate a comeback, but for now he is officially retired. Stay tuned.

Rob Gronkowski participated in an offseason throwing session with Tom Brady at UCLA’s campus.

Fantasy Impact

Gronk is currently retired, but this workout will spark rumors of a possible NFL return. This isn’t the first time an ex-teammate participated in a offseason throwing session with Brady. He has continued to insist he is officially done, and has lost around 20 pounds since retirement. Rumors of a possible NFL return will continue until he actually sits out the whole season.

Rob Gronkowski announced on Instragram Sunday that he is retiring.

Fantasy Impact

This doesn't come as a huge surprise as Gronkowski has been considering retirement since last off-season. Despite hanging up his cleats before his 30th birthday, Gronk will still go down as the best tight-end of all time, or at least the most dominant. The 2010 second-round draft pick finishes his career with 521 catches, 7861 receiving yards, and 79 receiving touchdowns in 115 games. Had he stayed healthy this whole time there's seemingly no limit to the types of eye-popping numbers he could've put up. Gronk was also a part of multiple championship teams in the latest Patriots' dynasty.