Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty

Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9.

Tampa Bay Buccaneersfans have been stuck in limbo since the start of the NFL offseason, waiting for tight endRob Gronkowskito announce whether or not he’ll be returning to the team.

Gronkowski, 33, is afour-time Super Bowlchampion and a free agent this summer. The athleteretiredfrom the NFL once before: back in March 2019 before ultimately returning in April 2020 to join longtime teammateTom Bradyon the Buccaneers. He left his status up in the air after the conclusion of this season.

Now, even the NFL star’s Tampa Bay teammates are growing impatient waiting for his decision on the 2022-2023 season.

When Buccaneers running backLeonard Fournettewished Gronk — who turned 33 on May 14 — a happy birthday on Instagram, he added “I’m waiting on you,” to a photo of the two on the field.

Fournette, who wears no. 7 for the Tampa Bay team, posted a screenshot of his own tweet saying, “I wonder how many 7 jerseys I’m going to see in the stands this year.”

In the post’s comment section, Gronkowski wrote, “I’ll represent a 7 jersey in the stands for ya!” Fournette replied, “Say homie don’t make me tear up bring yo ass back.”

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The athlete has mostly played coy about his status in the NFL. In fact, even girlfriendCamille Kostek, 30, had to set the record straight after Gronkowski toldSports Illustratedhe’d re-sign with the Bucs only if former New England Patriots teammate Julian Edelman returned as well.

“Oh yeah, if Julian signs with the Bucs right now, I’m coming back for a whole ‘nother year,” Gronkowski toldSports Illustrated.

Kostek added that Gronkowski is just taking his time. “There’s nothing that you guys don’t know, that I don’t know,” she told LAMag. “It is still a lingering question. He really is taking his time and I support it either way.”

source: people.com