Tom Brady returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022 season has far-reaching impacts, not only for Bucs’ position in the league, but also in the team’s ability to reel in major talent from the free agent market. Who doesn’t want to play with the GOAT in his last season?
Only time will tell what the Brady news means for which players the Bucs will be able to acquire throughout free agency, but for now, one thing is practically in the bag, and that is the return of future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski.
After the end of last season, Gronkowski’s future was up in the air as his contract with the Bucs was finished and his good friend Brady had announced his retirement.
Considering how well the star tight-end had performed all last year, many speculated that he might return, regardless of if Brady did or not.
While Gronkowski has yet to publicly state whether he is returning or not, it would be more than a safe assumption to assume he will return for another one year contract to finish out his career alongside Brady.
This will provide the Bucs with another year of what may be their most potent offensive weapon. The two were as dangerous as ever last year, combining for seven touchdowns and just over 900 receiving yards.
All that offensive production is on top of Gronkowski’s ability to out-block nearly all his peers around the league at his position, which will help the team’s running game.
Gronkowski should be expected to be the first of multiple signings the Bucs will make as a direct result of the return of Brady. And it will be the ability of the Bucs front office to capitalize on this opportunity that will determine the success of the team in their 2022 campaign.
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