The Bucs have focused heavily on their offense during free agency, re-signing center Ryan Jensen and placing the franchise tag on Chris Godwin. But now the team is making outside moves, trading for OG Shaq Mason and signing WR Russell Gage. Could another weapon be back in the fold soon? According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, tight end Rob Gronkowski could be heading back to Tampa Bay.
“There’s a feeling in Tampa that if Tom Brady just gives a call to his old buddy Gronk, maybe that’s all that needs to be done to get him back,” Wolfe said. “…He’s still enjoying that Tampa Bay life. And he was very productive last year. So, if he’s heathy and feeling good to go, then Gronk back in Tampa seems like the likely option.”
Gronkowski is currently a free agent for the second straight offseason. Last year, he returned to the Bucs on a 1-year, $8M deal. Gronkowski responded with a tremendous season, catching 55 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns. In the Bucs offense, Gronkowski is obviously a third fiddle to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But GM Jason Licht and HC Bruce Arians value him enough to create cap space for him to return.
“I’ve been told if Gronk decides he wants to come back, they would make it work salary cap wise,” Wolfe said. “That would not be a prohibitive factor in bringing somebody like Gronk back.”
Can the Bucs offense bring one more weapon back into the fold? The next 24 hours could be telling.
With Tom Brady back, the #Bucs band is getting back together and one of the next steps could be Gronk. Feeling around Tampa is Brady’s return skyrocketed chances of Gronk return, which they would love & find a way to make work $ wise.
From our @nflnetwork Free Agency Frenzy: pic.twitter.com/IJzTy29B8o
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 15, 2022