What's the deal with Rob Gronkowski? Breaking down latest retirement buzz

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Rob Gronkowski hasn't played in three of the New England Patriots' last four games. If you believe the latest chatter, that could be a sign of things to come.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio brought the Gronkowski retirement rumors to the forefront Sunday, noting before the Patriots' eventual loss to the Tennessee Titans that the All-Pro tight end may consider hanging them up after this season.

"I think there’s a good chance he just walks away after this year unless the Patriots are willing to rip up the last year of that contract and give him some form of security that is not tied to being healthy and producing on the field," Florio said on WEEI's "NFL Sunday" show.

On that same show, NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran reiterated Florio's stance.

"When you look at the arch of Gronk’s time here, this is probably the stretch run of Rob Gronkowski as a New England Patriot," Curran said, via WEEI.com. "These final games and then the postseason.

"I am not saying he’s done at his on volition, I am saying this is his final period of time as a Patriot. He’s on the books for $11.7 million. They tried to get out from under it last year, weren’t able to do it with that $11.7 million. To no fault of Gronk’s, his body, his ankle/back, he hasn’t been able to bring them the reward. They are not going to be interested in, after not getting $11.7 in cap hit out of him, going up to $12 million in cap hit next year for the final season of his contract."

Gronkowski's looming decision seemingly boils down to two factors: health and money. As Florio noted Sunday, Gronk has four incentives in his contract for this season -- percentage of offensive snaps, catches, touchdowns and receiving yards -- but with just 29 catches for 448 yards and one touchdown in seven games played, he's on pace to miss all four markers, which could lose him up to $3.3 million. Injuries obviously have played a big role in that, as nagging ankle and back injuries have caused him to miss three games and be limited in several others.

The 29-year-old is due $12 million in 2019 on the final year of his contract but believes he is worth more, as evidenced by his near-trade to the Detroit Lions this past offseason. Yes, the Patriots could restructure his deal after the season, giving him more money up front while removing some of those incentives. But would Bill Belichick's club be willing to hand out an incentive-free raise to one of its most oft-injured players? History suggests not.

Gronkowski has the benefit of the bye week to get healthy for New England's stretch run, and the All-Pro tight end's tune may change if he starts putting up big numbers late in the season. If Patriots fans are reading the tea leaves, though, it seems like a very real possibility Gronkowski calls it quits before his 30th birthday next May.

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