Well, it appears former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is far closer to stepping into a wrestling ring than running on the field to play football again.

During WWE Backstage on FS1 on Tuesday night, Ryan Satin reported that Gronkowski is close to signing a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Satin’s report states Gronkowski could appear on WWE programming as soon as the March 20th edition of SmackDown.

Gronk last appeared in a WWE ring during WrestleMania 33’s Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. During the match, Gronkowski helped long-time friend Mojo Rawley win the match and added an assist with a shoulder block to Jinder Mahal, who was promptly eliminated by Rawley.

Of course, after the Super Bowl in Miami last month, this picture has far more meaning if Gronkowski ends up hopping into WWE.

While the former All-Pro tight end has stated he doesn’t see himself having a lengthy wrestling career, it appears his days of catching passes from Tom Brady – or any other quarterback for that matter – are over.

As a wrestling fan, I’d like to Gronkowski against The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, or Roman Reigns. However, that probably will not happen.

Rob Gronkowski against some iteration of King Baron Corbin seems a far more plausible play at next year’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles. Corbin played in the NFL as an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals under his real name – Thomas Pestock.