The New England Patriots have traded tight end Rob Gronkowski to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fourth-round draft pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
It was revealed earlier on Tuesday that Gronkowski—who retired from the NFL following the 2018-19 campaign—had informed the Patriots that he wants to play with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
Brady joined the Bucs via free agency last month.
Gronkowski, who played his collegiate football at Arizona State, was originally selected by New England in the second round (42nd pick overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He had an impressive rookie year, catching 42 passes for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns. The following season, Gronkowski had one of the best seasons ever for a tight end, hauling in 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and an NFL-leading 17 scores en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.
Then, injuries began to settle in.
Between 2012 and 2013, Gronkowski played in just 18 games combined due to various injury issues. He resumed his All-Pro status in 2014, appearing in 15 contests and snaring 82 balls for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He proceeded to post similar numbers in 2015, logging 72 catches for 1,176 yards and 11 scores in 15 games.
But in 2016, Gronkowski participated in just eight games and was not available for the Pats’ Super Bowl run, and over his last couple of seasons in 2017 and 2018, he battled a myriad of injuries which led to his eventual retirement.
However, it seems like Brady’s decision to join the Buccaneers has gotten Gronk’s competitive juices flowing again.
Gronkowski will turn 31 years old next month.
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