Rob Gronkowski has ended his NFL career. Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans still has some hope for a retirement. Even though he understands why “Gronk” is quitting.

Munich – Mike Evans knows by now: When it comes to Tom Brady and his long career, nothing is certain.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver recently recounts a text message conversation in which he felt made fun of by Brady and his comeback announcement.

Despite retiring from the game, Brady buddy Rob Gronkowski has decided to end his career after careful consideration. And since “Gronk” is even a little crazier than Brady, Evans isn’t completely giving up hope that there might be a surprise in store.

Loss of Rob Gronkowski hurts

“I hope he comes back. You never know with Tom and Gronk,” Evans told KPRC Houston. “I wouldn’t be mad if he came back. In fact, I’d be very excited, but I feel like he’s done. “

What contributes to the feeling is first-hand insight, as Evans reveals. “He gives it his all, trains really hard, takes a lot of hits, blocks, runs after the catch. He puts in quite a bit, I’ve seen his body after a few games and I understand why he’s quitting.” The battered body was already the reason Gronkowski quit for the first time in 2019, when he sat out a year.

How badly does the loss hit the Bucs? “It hurts to lose Gronk. He’s one of the best tight ends,” the 28-year-old Evans said.

So he takes the whole team, and himself, to task. “We have to compensate in other areas,” he demanded: “I have to play better, the running backs have to play better, we all have to play better together. We’re going to miss Gronk, but I feel like we can still contend for the Super Bowl this year. “