Much like everyone expected, one of the first questions for quarterback Tom Brady at Buccaneers minicamp was about whether or not Rob Gronkowski would be joining him again.
While the Buccaneers don’t need Rob Gronkowski, it would sure be nice to have him back on the team as it competes for another Super Bowl in 2022.
The Buccaneers don’t rely on tight ends as much as the average team, but having a pass-catcher of Gronk’s ability and talent, even at this point of his career, is an extremely important asset on this Buccaneers offense.
Tampa did go out and draft two rookies that will potentially compete for the third or fourth spot on this roster, but the Bucs really do need to know whether or not Gronk is coming back to make the best choice about how their front office and coaching staff should look next at year with a potential new face in the starting lineup.
With all this being said, Tom Brady gave a relatively-noncommittal answer, much like every other question given at camp about whether or not Gronk was actually going to come back.
For those who have not yet seen the quote, check it out here from Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Tom Brady on whether he believes Rob Gronkowski will play this season. “I think it’s just obviously totally up to him and we’d all obviously love to play with him but he’s got to make the best decision for himself and he knows that. Anyone who cares about him knows that he’s...
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) June 9, 2022
It seems like Brady is taking the same approach to this question as his Hall of Fame tight end. His answers never seem to give anything resembling an actual response. Brady is continuing to sit on the fence, much like his friend has for the majority of his free agency process.
Did you expect anything else ?
It’s not like Brady would give anything away just yet, but at this point it’ll start to get frustrating at the rate with which the Buccaneers seem to be playing this close to the vest or without a plan at all outside of “give Gronk his space.”
If this is truly as up in the air as the Buccaneers and the players are making it seem, it is probably about to be time to start planning for the worst while also leaving the door open.
Signing an additional free agent does nothing to hurt what the Bucs have while waiting for Gronkowski to make this difficult decision.
If a guy is available, much like Eric Ebron, then why not sign up to a cheap deal and then wait to see what happens in the end with the TE1? If there really isn’t much uncertainty, this is the safe decision the team needs to make.
One way or another, we’re going to start needing answers here on what is actually happening. Brady and Gronk can play this however they like as long as there is a plan there in the end that helps the Bucs, but non-answers are starting to get old.
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