BOSTON (WEEI.com) -- Agent Drew Rosenhaus isn't ready to count out Rob Gronkowski returning to the New England Patriots just yet.
In a conversation with NBC Sports' Peter King, Gronk's longtime representative said it wouldn't shock him if his client decided to come back sometime this season.
It's apparent Gronk wrestled with the decision to walk away, since he didn't make a formal commitment until Sunday. King writes some within the Patriots organization felt last week Gronkowski was going to retire, which led them to pursue free agent Jared Cook, who wound up signing with the New Orleans Saints. According to Rosenhaus, Bill Belichick reached out to him on Thursday, asking if there was an update on his star tight end's status.
Gronk reportedly delivered the news to Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Sunday, shortly before posting his farewell Instagram message.
Tight end Dwayne Allen, who backed up Gronk for the last two seasons, told King it was "day-to-day" with the all-time great last year. The Patriots rode Gronkowski until the end, putting him out there for all 169 snaps in both the AFC championship and Super Bowl. He caught a 15-yard pass that set up the game-winning score in overtime in the AFC championship and also set up the Super Bowl-winning touchdown with a 29-yard reception late in the fourth quarter.
When the season was on the line, Tom Brady once again went looking towards Gronk.
Earlier this month, Willie McGinest theorized Gronkowski could come back once he rests his body for a little bit. It seems like Rosenhaus has a similar theory.
"Rosenhaus said it wouldn't shock him if Gronkowski decided to come back sometime in 2019," King writes. "We'll see. There's nothing to indicate a return to football now."
Then again, maybe that's wishful thinking from Rosenhaus. He won't receive commission on any deals Gronk works out in Hollywood.
By Alex Reimer