Gronkowski says he'll return to Bucs in 2021

Rob Gronkowski plans to play another season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, and he won't retire again.

"Yeah, you gotta," the future Hall of Fame tight end told NFL Network's Willie McGinest when asked if he'll return alongside quarterback Tom Brady next season.

"I feel like this team was built to win right now, it was put together this year to win right now," he added. "It always pops up in your mind, you're thinking about the future a little bit. I can definitely see this team also having a lot of talent come back and having another successful run next year as well, with me."

Gronkowski earned $9 million in base salary in 2020, and he isn't under contract past this season.

After nine illustrious seasons with the New England Patriots from 2010 to 2018, Gronkowski took a year off from professional football. He returned in 2020, reuniting with Brady and helping the Buccaneers reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Gronkowski started slowly during his debut campaign with the Bucs, but he finished with a respectable 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. The 31-year-old made it through the season without suffering any major injuries, appearing in all 16 games for the first time since his sophomore campaign.