The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, reuniting the formerly retired tight end with quarterback Tom Brady.
The Patriots will receive a fourth-round pick for Gronkowski, while the Bucs will also get a seventh-rounder as part of the deal.
The trade appeared to come together rather quickly as reports of Gronkowski’s interest in returning to the NFL on Tuesday afternoon were quickly followed by terms of the reportedly agreed-upon deal, but ESPN’s Dianna Russini says the two sides have been in contact for a few days and that Brady played a vital role in the trade coming together.
Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, released a statement via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport saying the player “has agreed to play for Tampa this season. He will honor his current contract at this time.” The 30-year-old tight end has one-year remaining on his deal with a $10-million salary.
The move for Gronkowski is just the latest splash by the Buccaneers this off-season after the team landed the biggest free-agent fish in franchise history last month by signing Brady to a two-year deal worth $50 million. The move reunites one of the most dangerous QB-TE duos in league history and makes an already potent Bucs receiving corps all the more deadly.
Gronkowski retired in March 2019 at the age of 29 after nine seasons in the league, during which he dominated opponents and put together a Hall of Fame resume. The Amherst, N.Y., native has 521 career receptions for 7,861 receiving yards and 79 touchdowns, with 81 receptions for 1,163 receiving yards and 12 TDs in the playoffs. Gronkowski was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams in New England, and is a four-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
However, Gronkowski’s first stint in the league was also injury-plagued as he missed 29 regular-season games between 2010-18 with numerous injuries, including back, knee and head ailments.
