Rob Gronkowski didn’t wait until national Talk Like a Pirate Day to share his thoughts on re-signing with the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs tight end shared a GIF via Twitter, “Arrr You Ready Kids?!?” He signed a one-year contract that could pay him “up to $10 million” per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Gronkowski, who retired in 2019 after 10 seasons with the New England Patriots, came out of retirement in 2020 to join the Bucs via a trade with the Patriots. His contract expired after the season, which gave him the chance to become a free agent.
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Testing the Waters
He tried it for less than a day during the NFL’s legal tampering period that began on Monday before he re-signed with the Bucs. His interview with podcaster Kyle Brandt on Monday hinted at testing the market a little bit. “I’m a one-year deal guy for the rest of my career,” Gronkowski said.
“I’m a 1 year deal guy for the rest of my career.”
Would free agent Gronk play somewhere other than Tampa in 2021? “I wanna dip my toes in, just to see what’s out there.” #10Questions
Buffalo reportedly made a run at Gronkowski according to sports personality Michael Silver, who noted that Gronkowski is from Buffalo and that the Bills need a tight end.
Before re-signing with the Bucs, Rob Gronkowski considered a similar offer from the Bills… his hometown team. I’d expect the Bills to add a tight end at some point.
Gronkowski ironically had many big games against the Bills when playing for the Patriots. He will get another shot at the Bills this fall when the Bucs face them.
Last week, Gronkowski shared on TMZ Sports that he planned to play this upcoming season but didn’t specifically say where. He had been dropping hints of wanting to return for another run with the Bucs as early as January, which he first mentioned in an NFL Network interview with former teammate Willie McGinest.
“I’ve been playing football in the NFL for 10 years, and I’ve been in the playoffs for all 10 years baby, that’s what’s up Willie,” Gronkowski told McGinest.
Gronkowski will look to make it 11 trips as the Bucs shore up its crew in free agency. The Bucs secured star wide receiver Chris Godwin, re-signed linebackers Lavonte David and Shaquil Barrett, and extended quarterback Tom Brady in the past week.
Still Elite
Gronkowski, 31, still brings a lot to the field. He had 45 catches, 623 yards, and seven touchdowns last season for the Bucs. He also displayed his effectiveness in blocking during the Bucs playoff run.
Over the years, he of the best tight ends in league history over his career. He has 566 receptions, 8,484 yards, and 86 touchdowns in his career.
He also joined Brady in making the best quarterback-receiver playoff duo in NFL history when they passed San Francisco 49ers greats Joe Montana and Jerry Rice on the all-time touchdown list during the Super Bowl. Brady and Gronkowski have connected for a record 14 playoff touchdowns.
It’s been an otherwise busy offseason for Gronkowski. He told TMZ Sports that he began training for next season recently amid all of his other ventures.
Gronkowski launched non-fungible token digital trading cards last week. He also has a spring football game to coach at his alma mater, Arizona. That’s in addition to his other random endorsements, appearing on talk shows, checking up on the rhinoceros named after him, and prank calling his quarterback.
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Rob Gronkowski Hilariously Reacts to New Deal With Bucs