Look back just five years ago and ask any NFL fan or specifically a New England Patriot’s fan where they saw Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady in 2020.
Doubt this was what they saw for either of these two men.
NFL media insider Ian Rapoport broke the news around 4 p.m on Tuesday that retired tight end Rob Gronkowski was interested in returning to football but only with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Less than an hour later, a deal was struck. New England would be sending Gronkowski and a 7th round pick (241st overall) in exchange for a 4th round pick (139th overall).
Gronkowski now joins an already stacked offensive core for the Buccaneers that includes two 1,000 yard receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, tight end O.J. Howard and some dude named Tom Brady.
The inclusion of Gronkowski shot the Buccaneers chances of winning the Superbowl on DraftKings from a +1600 to a +1200 and BetMGM opened the day with the Buccaneers chances at 16-1 and ended with it at 9-1.
“Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and he plays the game with the type of passion and desire that sets him apart,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “Rob has played his entire career alongside Tom Brady and their accomplishments speak for themselves. Together they have developed the type of chemistry on and off the field that is crucial to success. Rob combines elite-level skills as both a receiver and blocker but what really makes him special is the fact that he’s a proven winner who brings that championship mindset and work ethic.”
Even though Gronkowski was retired, he was still under contract with the Patriots through the end of this year because of an extension he signed back in 2012. Now the tight end will be owed $10 million for the one year he is under contract with the Buccaneers.
The loss of Gronkowski doesn’t aid or hinder the Patriots cap space, but hurts the fans who have been notably frustrated this off-season.
Patriots’ off-season departures include: Brady, Kyle Van Noy, Phillip Dorsett, Nate Ebner, Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton, Ted Karras and Elandon Roberts.
NFL stars took to Twitter and reacted to the trade that re-united the duo who racked up 78 touchdowns, and counting, together.
Other stars took the opportunity to call out the Patriots organization and the potentially grueling habits that come with being a New England Patriot.
There were even those who seemingly took the news exceptionally bad.
While not always accurate, it appeared that Patriots longtime receiver Julian Edelman unfollowed his former quarterback over on Instagram, then followed him back less than about 20 minutes later. Edelman is the lone man of the original trio that included him, Gronkowski and Brady. Edelman seems to now be the face of the franchise.
Gronkowski originally retired on March 24, 2019, not long after he and the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams in Superbowl 53. Now that he has a fresh chance with a new coach and team, Gronkowski will be taking his talents to the Bay area.
