He’s the hulking NFL icon known for smashing records on the football field with his brute strength and infectious party-boy energy.

But could Rob ‘Gronk’ Gronkowski be ready to trade his helmet for sequins and high heels?

A playful New Year’s Eve performance alongside Dancing With The Stars co-host Julianne Hough has sent fans into a frenzy, with many convinced the retired tight end is gearing up for a stint on the hit ABC show.

The speculation exploded after 37-year-old Julianne posted a hilarious clip of Gronk, 36, dramatically wiping out on stage during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in Las Vegas – and cheekily captioning it as his ‘DWTS audition‘.

In the viral video, the 6ft 6in former New England Patriots star is seen grooving alongside Julianne and backup dancers to Tate McRae’s hit ‘Sports Car’ when he suddenly slips and crashes to the floor.

Ever the showman, Gronk quickly strikes a dramatic pose to play it off – but Julianne wasted no time fueling the rumors.

‘@gronk tackled the stage and his @dancingwiththestars audition! (He’s okay!) #RockinEve,’ she wrote on TikTok, tagging the official DWTS account for good measure.

Fans went wild in the comments, begging producers to make it happen. ‘Please, we need Gronk on DWTS,’ one pleaded. Another added: ‘He’s def going to be on the next season!’

And they’re not alone – this isn’t the first time Julianne has dropped hints about wanting the Super Bowl champ in the ballroom.

Days earlier, she posted a spontaneous TikTok of the pair dancing in silence, letting the app randomly select the music, with the caption: ‘Dancing in silence and letting TikTok choose the song.’

The chemistry was undeniable, with Gronk’s goofy gyrations contrasting Julianne’s polished pro moves – and viewers immediately started ‘manifesting’ his DWTS debut.

‘Do we think this might be the year we finally see Gronk on DWTS?’ one Redditor wrote in a buzzing thread. ‘Gronk has been on my wishlist for years… this feels like the start of something.’

Julianne has been openly campaigning for him too. In an interview with Extra ahead of the New Year’s broadcast, the two-time Mirrorball winner admitted: ‘I just said to him, “I feel like we should do some fun dance TikToks. I’m trying to get him on [DWTS]. That would be really fun.”‘

Gronk himself seems game. The retired athlete, who won four Super Bowls with Tom Brady, has long flirted with the idea of competing on the show.

Back in 2018, he told Page Six he wanted to win DWTS, revealing he even incorporates dance into his workouts. And when his former teammate Danny Amendola competed in Season 33, Gronk praised his ‘high motor’ and predicted he’d excel.

He’s also a self-confessed fan of Julianne, gushing to Extra: ‘Julianne is just a wonderful, just terrific person and host. I’ve been watching her every season on Dancing With The Stars. I’m a big fan.’

Comparing his own moves to Elvis Presley’s hip-shaking style, he added with a grin: ‘He just gyrates, you know, and that’s how I dance.’

If Gronk does sign on for the next season – likely Season 35 in fall 2026 – he’d follow in the footsteps of some seriously successful NFL stars.

Football players have a glittering track record on DWTS, often shocking viewers with their grace and going deep into the competition.

Emmitt Smith hoofed his way to victory in Season 3, Hines Ward in Season 12, Donald Driver in Season 14, and Rashad Jennings in Season 24.

Even runners-up like Jerry Rice (Season 2) and Calvin Johnson have wowed audiences with unexpected finesse.

Sources close to the show say producers have had Gronk on their radar for years, drawn to his larger-than-life personality, massive fanbase, and that trademark humor that could make for TV gold.

‘He’s the perfect mix of athlete and entertainer,’ one insider dished. ‘His party antics are legendary, but he’s also incredibly likable. Imagine him in a salsa or cha-cha – the height difference with a pro partner alone would be hilarious.’

Fans are already fantasy-casting, with many hoping he’d be paired with Julianne herself – despite her hosting duties. ‘Their chemistry is off the charts,’ one commented. ‘She could come back as a pro just for him!’

Of course, there are hurdles. Gronk works as an analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, and DWTS films during football season. But the show airs Tuesdays (no Monday night games conflict), and past celebs with packed schedules have made it work.

‘No real indication yet,’ caution some reports, ‘but the timing and teasing feel deliberate.’

As one excited fan put it: ‘Not getting my hopes up but he would be so fun!!’

With no official cast announcements for the next season expected until summer, the speculation is only set to grow.

Could 2026 be the year Gronk finally spikes the Mirrorball trophy? DWTS bosses, the ball’s in your court…