The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
Gronk has been retired for 13 months, but still had one year left in his deal with the Patriots.
Gronkowski said: “I’m back. I always said when I have that feeling and it feels right, I will be ready to take the field again. And I have that feeling. I’m ready.”
The Buccaneers announced the details of the trade: New England will receive a fourth-round pick (No. 139 overall) in the NFL draft, and the Buccaneers will receive a seventh-round pick (No. 241 overall) in the trade.
The GM of the Bucs (Jason Licht) said: ”Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in NFL history. Rob has played his entire career alongside Tom Brady, and their accomplishments speak for themselves.”
A league source said Tampa Bay was the only team Gronkowski was willing to come out of retirement to play for.
Gronk’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said: “Shortly after Tom Brady went to Tampa, Rob and I had a conversation that this is a situation that would be appealing to him. It was something cool and exciting and challenging to him. He’s well-rested and looking forward to playing with Tom again.”
