When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially landed quarterback, Tom Brady as a free agent it was widely reported that there was an influx of players interested in joining the G.O.A.T. in Florida.
Now, we are seeing that come to fruition as rumors are surfacing that former New England Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski—and current holder of the WWE 24/7 Championship belt—is looking to return from retirement and he has told the franchise that he wishes to play with Brady and the Buccaneers.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that the All-Pro duo would be joining forces once more in Florida:
Trade, pending physical: Patriots are trading TE Rob Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick, source tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
This whole deal came together in seemingly a blink of an eye. Here’s a step-by-step look at how this news was rolled out this afternoon.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapport sent shockwaves through the football world with his tweet:
Sources: Retired #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has told New England that he’s interested in playing football again — and would want to do it with the #Bucs and QB Tom Brady. A trade would have to be worked out for this to happen.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2020
ESPN’s Adam Schefter chimed in to mention that the Patriots and Buccaneers have had ongoing discussions about a possible deal:
Patriots and Buccaneers have been discussing a trade for retired TE Rob Gronkowski, per league sources. Gronkowski has one year and $10 million left on his contract. But the two sides are, and have been talking, prior to Thursday’s draft.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
Finally, the last of the NFL insiders big three, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer said that Gronkowski has gone as far as to already take a physical for Tampa Bay:
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
Of course, in retrospect, Barstool Sports was the first to mention that this reunion had serious potential of happening. Nearly two weeks ago through the Twitter account, @NFLInsiderLeroy (Barstool personality Pardon My Take’s dog) posted this:
Hearing a wild rumor that has serious legs. Rob Gronkowski is strongly considering returning to the NFL to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with his old teammate Tom Brady. Has been training in Florida in addition to Wrestlemania. Please credit Leroy woof woof
— NFL Insider Leroy (@LeroyInsider) April 8, 2020
For now, the list of weapons that Brady will have at his disposal is out of this world. ESPN’s Field Yates broke it down here:
As things currently stand, the Buccaneers offense:
QB: Tom Brady
RB: Ronald Jones
WR: Mike Evans
WR: Chris Godwin
TE1: Rob Gronkowski
TE2: O.J. Howard/Cameron Brate— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 21, 2020
Most likely the team will move on from one of O.J. Howard or Cameron Brate as having three starter quality tight ends seems like overkill but who knows, maybe Arians holds on to them all.
Gronkowski holds the record for the most touchdown passes caught from Brady (78) and the two will look to add even more to that total whenever the NFL season kicks off.
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