Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jordan Leggett saw an opportunity to cash in big once his team traded for Rob Gronkowski. Leggett, who wore No. 87, looked to sell the rights to his jersey for $1 million, only to see it backfire within minutes.
Hey @RobGronkowski I’ll give you #87 for 1 million. 🤣
— Jordan Leggett (@JordanLeggett16) April 21, 2020
Leggett, who signed a one-year, $825,000 deal with the Buccaneers, could have doubled his winnings but had no leverage whatsoever against arguably the greatest tight end of all-time.
Gronkowski, who spent the 2019 season in retirement after nine seasons, agreed to return to football so long as he could play in Tampa Bay and reunite with quarterback Tom Brady. The New England Patriots pounced on that decision and traded him for a fourth-round pick.
The Bucs wasted no time and gave Gronkowski his signature No. 87, assigning Leggett No. 81.
If there was any doubt, Bucs have changed TE Jordan Leggett's jersey number to 81 on their online roster, freeing up the familiar No. 87 for one Robert James Gronkowski.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 22, 2020
There are countless stories of players trying to make the most of a number change, but the common denominator here is leverage. Leggett had none, considering he's making pennies on the dime compared to Gronkowsk. It also doesn't help that he's now a fifth-string tight end behind Gronk, O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate, and Antony Auclair.
When it’s all said and done I’ll probably have to pay Gronk to take my number…
— Jordan Leggett (@JordanLeggett16) April 21, 2020
This was a long shot that quickly went nowhere, as the Buccaneers made the decision for Leggett. The surplus at tight end could mean the Bucs can make further moves down the line.
Bucs wideout Chris Godwin offered Brady his jersey No. 12 without the need for any monetary compensation, even if Brady will make a crisp $25 million this season.
Godwin will now wear No. 14, but he will be the beneficiary of a lot of targets from the soon-to-be Hall of Famer.