
Rob Gronkowski, a former teammate of Tom Brady, did not rule out the possibility of playing for the Buccaneers in an interview with Andy Cohen.
Fans of the Buccaneers were skeptical that Tom Brady would ever come and play for Tampa Bay. Just go back and look at the outrage that followed the mere mention of the idea that Brady would ever wear a Buccaneers jersey.
It was practically inconceivable, yet here we are. Tom Brady is a Buccaneer.
A different rumor started to surface several weeks ago that Rob Gronkowski could leave retirement to join longtime teammate, Tom Brady, and play for the Buccaneers. This move, too was seen as a hilarious impossibility.
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“Why would Gronk leave retirement?” “He is signed with the Patriots; they would never trade him.” “The Bucs already have two great tight ends; they don’t need Gronkowski.” These just scratch the surface of the disbelief. It would be difficult to pull off, but each day this seems like a greater possibility.
For starters, the Patriots have absolutely no leverage over Gronk. If he decides to leave retirement and asked to be traded to the Buccaneers, the Pats would have to accept any deal that Tampa Bay would offer. Having any draft picks is better than no compensation for a player that retired with years left on their contract.
As to the tight end argument, the belief grows by the day that Tampa Bay could decide to trade O.J. Howard before the draft. If this were to happen, the Buccaneers would need to find a new tight end to fill that role.
Gronk leaving retirement is the biggest hurdle to this becoming a realistic possibility, but today that was addressed in an interview with Andy Cohen.
"“You never know,” Gronk said when Cohen asked if he was done with his football career. “You never know. I’m not totally done. I like to stay in shape, but I’ve got to get that feeling back” Gronk continued."
While the overall tone of the interview was comedic, Gronkowski seemed sincere that his football career may not be over.
Gronk retired from football partially due to injuries, but he also made it clear during his retirement speech that he didn’t get the same enjoyment out of playing anymore, and that was influential on his decision.
Gronk mentioned “that feeling” again in the interview today with Cohen, and it seemed as though the possibility remains that football could become fun again.
Perhaps moving to Tampa Bay and playing with a close friend for a new team could be all that Gronkowski needs to fall in love with football again.
The odds may still be long, but Rob Gronkowski is very clearly keeping the door open for a potential return to football, with his most likely landing spot being the Buccaneers.