Multiple injuries would lead to Rob Gronkowski's retire in March of 2019. The All-Pro tight end would sit out the next season. During that season, many thought that Gronkowski would return for the Patriots but that never came to fruition. Instead, the five-time Pro Bowler would make the surprise decision to join his former quarter Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
However, while the return of Brady and Gronkowski may creating a lot of hype in Tampa Bay, several league GMs have mentioned that Gronkowski's health could possibly still be a concern.
“Was he just beaten down at the end of 2018 and, after a year off, he’ll come back refreshed for one final run?” one AFC general manager told Bedard. “Sure, I guess that’s possible. Tampa better hope so, or they just wasted $9 million. What he showed in 2018 … that’s not worth it.”
The Buccaneers would acquire the rights to Gronkowski via trade in April as the team traded a 2020 fourth-round pick to New England while the Bucs received a seventh-round pick.
In his final season before retiring, Gronkowski would play 13 games, making 11 starts and recording 47 catches 682 and three touchdowns. Now, the 31-year-old joins a Tampa Bay offense comprised of fellow stars like Brady and wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.