If the Buccaneers’ trade for Rob Gronkowski surprised you last month, you aren’t the only one. Turns out, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians was equally surprised when he learned from his new quarterback, Tom Brady, that the retired tight end was interested in coming to Tampa Bay.
Appearing on ESPN’s NFL Live on Thursday, Arians said that Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion, was the one who brought up the idea of trading for his former teammate, and was adamant the Bucs go after Gronk.
via ESPN:
“It was really Tom. Tom brought it up to me, and I didn’t even think it was a possibility that [Gronkowski] wanted to come back. And [Brady] was adamant about, yeah, he really wants to play; he’d love to play with us. So [general manager] Jason Licht got the ball rolling with the Patriots, the conversation was there, and he’s working out, he’s in great shape and he’s raring to go. So we’re really looking forward to getting on the practice field.”
Arians may have been surprised, but it turns out Brady might have known for a while about Gronk’s possible interest in returning. Shortly before Brady announced his decision to leave the Patriots, Gronkowski told him during a workout together that he may be interested in returning. Turns out, Brady going to the Bucs was just the right situation to lure Gronk out of his one-year retirement.
Once Brady hangs up his helmet once and for all, he might want to try his luck at being a general manager.
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