- Just heard from Gronk, already took his physical for Bucs, trade not completed but he’s coming back for Bucs if all goes through. — Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 21, 2020 UPDATED: 4:26 p.m. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com claims the Bucs sent a fourth-round pick to the Belicheats for the rights to Gronk and a seventh-round pick.
- If anything, Gronkowski coming back would certainly be an upgrade. Drafted by the team in 2010, he recorded 521 catches for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns. His best season came in 2011.
Gronk teaming up with TB12. Beautiful room with massive white walls and not a single painting or decoration in sight — said he hasn’t ruled out coming back to.
Could Rob Gronkowski come back? Former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen added fuel to the speculative fire during the NFL on FOX on Super Bowl Sunday.
New England did not receive a ton of production from the tight end position last season. If anything, Gronkowski coming back would certainly be an upgrade. Drafted by the team in 2010, he recorded 521 catches for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns. His best season came in 2011. That year, he started in all 16 games, recording 1,027 yards and 17 touchdowns.
In 2019, Ben Watson was the leading tight end statistically. He caught 17 passes for 173 yards. Matt Lacosse was the other producer at the tight end position. He caught 13 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown.
In terms of addressing the tight end position, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry is set to enter free agency. The free agent can produce at a high level when healthy.
Is Rob Gronkowski Coming Back In 2020
Ever since last year, there has been speculation surrounding whether Gronkowski will return. This statement by Olsen certainly adds more fuel to the fire. It will be interesting to see what New England does and whether they will try to strengthen the position as an eventful offseason continues on.
The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Tuesday on SportsCenter that the five-time Pro Bowler has been 'really invigorated' physically since he retired from football nearly 13 months ago.
'He tells me he feels fantastic, the best he's ever felt,' Rosenhaus said. 'His weight's back up to 260. He passed his physical with flying colors today. He's just really excited about playing football again, and being in Florida is exciting for him.'
Gronkowski told Fox Sports in a text message: 'I'm back. I always said when I have that feeling and it feels right, I will be ready to take the field again. And I have that feeling. I'm ready.'
Gronkowski, who turns 31 next month, has one year and $9 million remaining on his contract.
The Buccaneers announced the details of the trade in a news release Tuesday. New England will receive a fourth-round pick (No. 139 overall) in this week's draft, and Tampa Bay will also receive a seventh-round pick (No. 241 overall).
'Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and he plays the game with the type of passion and desire that sets him apart,' Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. 'Rob has played his entire career alongside Tom Brady, and their accomplishments speak for themselves. Together they have developed the type of chemistry on and off the field that is crucial to success.'
Tampa Bay was the only team Gronkowski was willing to end his retirement to play for, a league source told Schefter.
Rosenhaus noted on SportsCenter that 'playing with Tom Brady obviously is huge' and said Gronkowski contacted him about joining Brady after the star quarterback left the Patriots for the Buccaneers last month.
'Shortly after Tom Brady went to Tampa, Rob and I had a conversation that this is a situation that would be appealing to him,' Rosenhaus said. 'Obviously, this was a deal that New England had to feel good about, Tampa had to feel good about. This wasn't just about Rob. All the parties involved had to be in agreement.'
Brady had some fun with Gronkowski's return in a video he tweeted Wednesday morning, blowing a conch shell to call in the tight end who ran in and said, 'A little tired, but Gronk reporting.'
Gronkowski announced his retirement on March 24, 2019, after a nine-year career during which he won three Super Bowls with New England and was one of the league's most colorful personalities.
Is Gronk Coming Back In 2020 Nfl
Like Brady, Gronkowski hasn't played for any team other than the Patriots.
'He loves New England,' Rosenhaus said. 'He loves the Patriots organization, coach [Bill] Belichick, the Krafts, his teammates that are still there. He had an amazing run in New England.
'It was just time for him to continue his career with Tom Brady in Florida, with Tampa. It was something cool and exciting and challenging to him. He's well-rested and looking forward to playing with Tom again.'
New England fans could have a chance to watch Gronkowski and Brady up close again if they are both still with the Bucs in 2021, when Tampa Bay is scheduled to play the Patriots in Foxborough.
Brady, who signed a two-year deal worth $50 million with Tampa Bay, will enjoy arguably his best collection of passing targets in more than a decade with Gronkowski now in the fold. Tampa Bay has O.J. Howard, the subject of multiple recent trade rumors, and Cameron Brate at tight end and Pro Bowl wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Licht was asked about Gronkowski during his pre-draft news conference last week.
'Well, he's doing a pretty good job with WrestleMania right now,' Licht said, referring to Gronkowski's 24/7 title won earlier this month at WrestleMania 36. 'I have no idea if he would want to play. I'll keep this on the draft right now because that's like asking about another player on another roster.'
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians is not known for extensive use of the tight end in the vertical passing game, but the trade is an example of how Brady's presence could impact Arians' playbook. Arians and Brady have both mentioned how excited they are to collaborate.
The Patriots currently have two tight ends on their roster -- Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo -- and the position projects as one of their top needs.
New England owns the No. 23 pick in the draft and then doesn't pick again until 87th overall, in the third round.
News of Tuesday's trade impacted futures betting on the Buccaneers at Caesars Sportsbook, where Tampa Bay's odds of winning the Super Bowl improved from 17-1 to 14-1. The Bucs' odds of winning the NFC also slightly improved from 8-1 to 7-1 at Caesars.
ESPN's Jenna Laine and Mike Reiss contributed to this report.