Rob Gronkowski admits he lost a step in his final season with Patriots

Rob Gronkowski was visibly hurting in his final season with the New England Patriots.

After capping off 2018 with a Super Bowl victory, he quickly made the decision to retire. He’s toyed with the idea of making a return, but he’s also shut it down adamantly. Since retirement, he joined FOX Sports as an analyst and has made appearances in countless events.

Gronkowski has thoroughly enjoyed his retirement and the recovery time it’s allowed him to have. He joined the Barstool Podcast on Thursday and spoke about the physical condition he was during his final season.

Gronk on @BarstoolRadio: “I 100 percent lost a step (last year). I actually lost like three steps some games. I didn’t even want to be out there on the field. I was like, ‘Yo, I feel like complete ass. Coach, put Dwayne (Allen) in, I don’t even care.’ I was at that point.”

— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) January 30, 2020

He finished the season with 72 catches, 682 yards and three touchdowns in 13 regular season games. Gronkowski’s most explosive game in the postseason was in the Super Bowl, where he recorded six catches for 87 yards.

Gronkowski was 28 years old at the time of his retirement and he’s made it clear that his body wouldn’t allow him to dominate in a way he was used to.