Rob Gronkowski will not be riding off into the sunset after his latest Super Bowl win ... the future Hall of Famer tells TMZ Sports he's FOR SURE coming back to Tampa next season.
"I'm back, man!" Gronk says ... "I will be back playing football, man. I love the game of football. I loved playing last year. I had a great time."
In fact, Rob tells us training for 2021 has already begun ... the tight end says he took three weeks off after the Super Bowl, but he just got in 4 straight workouts to begin season prep this week.
"Let me tell you, I was a little bit sore first day of training but it bounced back like that," Gronk says. "I'm feeling good."
Rob Gronkowski put on his football pants today!
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) February 8, 2021
TWO TOUCHDOWNS in the first half! #SBLV #SuperBowl (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/C5MrLd8Mnf
The words are music to the Buccaneers' ears ... there had to be at least SOME worry Gronk might hang up his spikes this offseason.
You'll recall, he retired abruptly in March 2019 ... saying his passion for the game just wasn't there.
But, Gronk -- who unretired to play for Tampa this past offseason -- is clearly loving his new time with Tom Brady ... and he tells us they're all hellbent on getting yet another ring next season!!