The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made another major splash before this week’s NFL draft, agreeing to a trade with the New England Patriots for tight end Rob Gronkowski, who will end his one-year retirement and reunite with Tom Brady in Tampa.
Gronk is arguably the greatest tight end to ever play the game, and the chemistry he and Brady developed on the field helped New England continue its reign of dominance over the past decade.
And, as the details of the trade emerge, it’s clear the Buccaneers came out big winners in this, especially when you consider what the Lions almost gave up in 2018, had a proposed Gronk-to-Detroit trade gone through.
Here’s Adam Schefter with the details.
Two years ago before the draft, the Patriots agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Lions, but Gronk informed them he’d opt for retirement over playing with a QB other than Tom Brady. Now after a year of retirement, Gronk hoping for a pre-draft trade to reunite with his former QB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
2018 Rob Gronkowski trade:
Lions receive Gronkowski and a second-round pick (No. 43.)
Patriots receive a first-round pick (No. 20) and a second-round pic (No. 51)2020 Gronkowski trade:
Buccaneers receive Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick.
Patriots receive a fourth-round pick.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
It certainly seems like the Bucs fleeced the Patriots in this, surrendering just a fourth-round pick, which was a compensatory pick the Bucs were recently awarded, so they still have a pick in round four. For the Patriots, they needed to shed Gronk’s contract, especially if he wasn’t going to be a part of their reboot in New England.
It’s another major victory for the Bucs, but paper teams don’t win championships. This squad will have to produce in 2020. And with the acquisition of Gronk, the pressure is on.
[lawrence-related id=31232,31227,31217,31188]