Update: The Patriots have traded Gronkowski to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick.
Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has reportedly informed the team that he wants to return to the NFL and join Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Gronkowski said in a recent interview that he wasn’t finished playing football, and it appears that hint was legitimate.
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
Although the prospect of Gronkowski joining Brady in Tampa Bay initially seemed too good to be true for Bucs fans, it appears it could very well come to fruition in the 2020 NFL season.
There had been plenty of speculation regarding Gronkowski's interest in potentially coming out of retirement during the 2019 NFL season. He has since managed to stay busy in his new career as a WWE superstar and reigning 24/7 champion after winning the belt at WrestleMania 36. His headquarters are not too far from Brady's new home and it seems he has gone to work at convincing his former teammate to start a different chapter alongside him.
Tampa Bay already boasts plenty of firepower on offense led by arguably the most talented receiver duo in the league with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. There is also no shortage of tight end options to serve as potential safety valves in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard. Howard's uncertain future with the team indicates they could be more than willing to part ways with him in order to make space for Gronkowski.
Of course, the Bucs will first need to find a way pry Gronkowski away from the Patriots. It is safe to assume that head coach Bill Belichick has little interest in helping to reunite the pair.
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