Well, it's not April Fools day.

Report: Patriots trading Rob Gronkowski to Bucs to play with Tom Brady

The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Pending a physical, Gronkowski is coming out of retirement and will be dealt along with a seventh-round pick to the Bucs for a fourth-round pick.



The news arrived shortly after a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Gronkowski was interested in playing football again, but only to play with Brady and the Bucs.

Gronkowski hasn’t played since the 2018 season that ended with the Patriots winning the Super Bowl over the Los Angeles Rams. He retired prior to last season following nine years with the New England Patriots that included three Super Bowl rings and a multitude of injuries that took their toll on his body.

Gronkowski, 30, is widely considered the best tight end to ever play the game. He retired at a young age and has visibly shed a significant portion of his playing weight since leaving the Patriots. What kind of playing shape he’ll be in whenever the NFL starts again is a mystery.

https://sports.yahoo.com/repor...brady-202320403.html

Basically both Brady and Gronk didn't want to play for Belichick anymore.

Well in that case, at least Belichick got a 4th rounder for a wrestler.

If Gronk retired, how can the Pats trade him? I presume they must have some contract agency terms that extend beyond 1-year of his last post-season.

quote:

Originally posted by Dakor:
If Gronk retired, how can the Pats trade him? I presume they must have some contract agency terms that extend beyond 1-year of his last post-season.

If he retired under contract, they retain the rights to him if he comes back.

quote:

Originally posted by saigonsmuggler:
Basically both Brady and Gronk didn't want to play for Belichick anymore.

.
Doubtful that has any relevance here and may or may not be true.

Well - now Gronk can move his yacht from Miami to Tampa Bay.

The TB offense is already very potent - this just solidifies things and let's TB focus on the O-line and DB's in this weeks draft.

As a Patriots fan I say more power to them. I hope they win another SB.

As a long time buffalo resident detesting the patriots is pretty much in my dna. Gronkowski grew up in WNY and it was my impression his medical condition was a primary reason for retirement.honestly if you want to return to football after spine surgery and either short or long term end up in a wheelchair you have that coming. No tears shed for you

^^^ I heard that his only 'condition' was his not wanting to be traded to the Lions!!

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by Dakor:
If Gronk retired, how can the Pats trade him? I presume they must have some contract agency terms that extend beyond 1-year of his last post-season.

If he retired under contract, they retain the rights to him if he comes back.

Yes, it was the same with Marshawn Lynch when he came out of retirement - the Seahawks traded him to the Raiders for I believe a fifth round pick.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in Michigan:
^^^ I heard that his only 'condition' was his not wanting to be traded to the Lions!!

Come on now... The Lions are rebuilding. Since 1952

I thought Gronk retired because he didn't want to be traded. I guess he just wanted to stay with Brady or not play.

TB12/#7!

I’m not the biggest football guy (overpriced tickets, stadiums taxing citizens to build, kneeling during NA) but I can’t help but to root for the old guys. I hope Tom shoves a sweet fuck you to everyone that doubts him. If he fails, he had the balls to try at his age.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in Michigan:
^^^ I heard that his only 'condition' was his not wanting to be traded to the Lions!!

We are talking about the same franchise where Barry Sanders retired in his prime rather than keep playing for a team that wasn't concerned about winning.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
TB12/#7!

I’m not the biggest football guy (overpriced tickets, stadiums taxing citizens to build, kneeling during NA) but I can’t help but to root for the old guys. I hope Tom shoves a sweet fuck you to everyone that doubts him. If he fails, he had the balls to try at his age.

It could be Joe Montana with the Chiefs (bad) or Peyton Manning with the Broncos (good.) Only time will tell.

Personally I hate him and hope this ends in disaster.

"Dynasty" Fire Sale!!

Going on now at Gillette Stadium!

Same...but grew up in So Fla and despise the Patsies.

As a Michigan fan it pained me to root against Tom Brady, but now that TB is in TB, I will absolutely pull for the Bucs! Gronk being there should certainly help.

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
As a long time buffalo resident detesting the patriots is pretty much in my dna. Gronkowski grew up in WNY and it was my impression his medical condition was a primary reason for retirement.honestly if you want to return to football after spine surgery and either short or long term end up in a wheelchair you have that coming. No tears shed for you

Maybe TB will get the Buc's to trade BA for Belicheck? And work something out for Edelman? Maybe Joe Thuney as well? Because TB wants to prove he can do it on his own.

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:


Personally I hate him and hope this ends in disaster.

Why? #199 in the draft, doubted his whole career and look what he has achieved. He was what 40 years old when he won the MVP and the SuperBowl? Damn man, hard to root against the guy trying to defy age and still do this. I don't get the hate. Anyone that has played with him says "best teammate, best leader" etc etc.
He is also friends with Trump, never bent the knee.

When you're as banged up as Gronk was it takes a year off to get your body back.

Had he stayed in NE he would have continued to play hurt, constantly. That's just what's expected of you.

I think he's healthy for the first time in a long time. As a Broncos fan, I'm just glad to see them in the NFC. The NFCS should be an interesting division this year. At least the Bucs might have a shot competing with the Saints.

Early prediction, I think it's Drew's year.