Retired tight end Rob Gronkowski is interested in making a return to the NFL — but not with the New England Patriots, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Gronkowski has requested to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Tom Brady signed this offseason.
In order for Gronk to join Tampa, Bill Belichick would have to trade him to the Buccaneers. Or the Patriots could release Gronkowski, a scenario which seems unlikely considering New England gets nothing in return.
Gronkowski fueled speculation that he might be interested in reuniting with Brady during a conversation with “Watch What Happens Live” on Monday.
“The day that I retired, within 24 hours there was already rumors that I was coming out of retirement. I’m feeling good right now, I’m happy where I’m at, and you just never know, man. You just never know. You never know. I’m not totally done, I like to stay in shape, but I’ve got to get that feeling back,” Gronk said.
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
Patriots and Buccaneers have been discussing a trade for retired TE Rob Gronkowski, per league sources. Gronkowski has one year and $10 million left on his contract. But the two sides are, and have been talking, prior to Thursday’s draft.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
The conversation about Gronk’s return to the NFL has been a discussion for quite some time. But a trade to the Buccaneers popped into the news cycle this month. Buccaneers GM Jason Licht was asked about Gronk during a press conference in April.
“Well, he’s doing a pretty good job in Wrestlemania right now,” he said to reporters. “I have no idea if he’d want to play.”
Indeed, Gronk was the host of Wrestlemania and he has also dabbled with television as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. But apparently, he’s OK with putting those gigs on pause to return to the NFL, where he could join a depth chart which includes Brady, receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.
[vertical-gallery id=84740]