All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski owes much of his success to the New England Patriots.
It’s where he won the Super Bowl three times and became a four-time First-Team All-Pro.
He was also a five-time Pro Bowler and was included in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Gronkowski also set the record for most receiving touchdowns in a season by a tight end with 17.
Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last, and he retired after the 2018 season.
However, he returned to football a year later when Tom Brady recruited him to play with him in Tampa Bay.
The duo had instant success, winning Super Bowl LV in their first year with the Buccaneers.
But a video shared by Pro Football Focus’ Ari Meirov revealed that the Patriots aren’t much of a fun team to play with because of bonuses.
Rob Gronkowski on the #Bucs leaving him in the game to get his catch bonus last season: "I've seen that happen before. Not with the Patriots, though. They'll probably pull you before you hit that bonus there…"
"I shouldn't have said that." 😂pic.twitter.com/p6ohcaT2gQ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 7, 2022
Meirov shared Gronkowski’s quote while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show regarding the Buccaneers coaches keeping him in the game to get his receptions bonus last season.
Gronkowski Is Keeping It 100
The former Arizona standout said, “I’ve seen that happen before. Not with the Patriots, though. They’ll probably pull you before you hit that bonus there.”
Gronkowski’s statement was shared in good nature, and the Patriots shouldn’t feel slighted about his thoughts.
He also added, “With the Bucs, they’re down for the players to collect all the money they possibly can, which is great. But I’ve seen that the year before. The Bucs did it with a certain wide receiver that was no longer with the team.”
For now, Gronkowski remains a free agent, and it’s uncertain whether there are teams interested in him.
But if he returns to Tampa Bay and plays with Brady again, he will keep a mental note of his reception count to ensure that he gets the bonus.
NEXT: NFL Insider Shares How The Patriots Could Have Kept Tom Brady