When the dust settled on Monday, the Buccaneers were able to secure tight end Rob Gronkowski for another season.

But Tampa Bay wasn’t the only team in hot pursuit according to Michael Silver.

Gronkowski was a strong contributor in the Bucs’ Super Bowl winning season, making 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. He had 67 yards on six catches and two touchdowns in a 31-9 Super Bowl win. Arguably the biggest impact he had this season came as a blocker on the end of the offensive line, significantly helping out in the run game and taking on pass rushers with tremendous success.

Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As he made clear early on, the only quarterback Gronkowski wants to play with is Brady. Towards the end of last season and through many comments in 2021, he made it known that he intended to play again this season, suggesting that there was only one team he was going to. Gronkowski suggest that he would test the free agent waters, but in the end there was little question that he would play anywhere other than Tampa Bay.

The tight end position will be loaded with good depth again for the Bucs. Gronkowski remains No. 1 on the depth chart with O.J. Howard and Cam Brate behind at two and three, followed by Tanner Hudson and Codey McElroy. Once again, the Bucs were able to reach a deal with their star player and somehow stay under the salary cap with an immensely talented roster and a Super Bowl ring to show for it.