Rob Gronkowski Wants To Return, Patriots & Buccaneers Discussing Trade

April 21, 2020

Update:

Jay Glazer reports that Rob Gronkowski has already taken a physical for the Buccaneers. A trade isn’t completed right now, but Glazer says he’ll be playing for the Buccaneers if it goes through.

Glazer says that the Buccaneers are “close” to a deal for Gronkowski, but they’re still waiting on word from the physical. According to Glazer, there are still some things to be sorted out, but it “should be good within 24 hours.”

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that retired Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has informed New England that he’s interested in returning to the NFL.

According to Rapoport, Gronkowski wants to join Tom Brady with the Buccaneers, which means they would have to work out a trade. Rapoport adds that the Patriots and Buccaneers have had some communication regarding a potential trade for Gronkowski.

Gronkowski sat out the 2019 season, but Rapoport says he has been putting on weight for a return to the NFL and is now ready.

Adam Schefter confirms that the Patriots and Buccaneers have been discussing a trade for Gronkowski.

One issue that would need to be sorted out is that Gronkowski is that he’s under contract with the WWE.

Recent reports have said that the Buccaneers could up trading TE O.J. Howard leading up or during the 2020 draft with the Patriots being a team to watch.

Gronkowski said recently that he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of returning while saying he’s not quite there yet.

“I’m feeling good right now, I’m happy where I’m at, and you just never know, man,” Gronkowski said on Watch What Happens Live. “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.”

Gronkowski, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2010. He was in the sixth year of his eight-year, $55.23 million contract that included $13.17 million guaranteed when he made the decision to return last year.

For his career, Gronkowski has caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards receiving and 79 touchdowns for the Patriots over the course of nine seasons and 115 games. He has been a five-time Pro Bowler and a made four first-team All-Pros. He was also the Comeback Player of the Year in 2014.