The Patriots found their tight end of the future in Jonnu Smith on Monday, but the tight end of their past is still getting paid as well.
According to a number of reports, including one from ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rob Gronkowski is running it back with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2021 season on a one-year deal worth $10 million.
Eight figures and a new Super Bowl ring... not bad for a guy who was retired from football!
Gronk finished with 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020, his tenth campaign in the NFL. The Super Bowl brought out the best in Gronk, as he hauled in six passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns in classic Brady-Gronk fashion as the Bucs routed the Chiefs.
Interestingly enough, Gronk had said prior to this latest news that he was ready to "dip [his] toes in" free agency, though the Buccaneers were definitely his focus.
“I definitely want to be back with the Buccaneers. That’s where my eyesight is. That’s where I’m leaning toward, big time,” Gronkowski said on Kyle Brandt's podcast. “But with the free agency process, you just never know what may happen. There’s some other teams interested out there, too. I’ve also never been a part of the free agency process, so I actually want to dip my toes in, just to see what’s out there.”
Apparently, he saw what was out there, and nothing compared to the chance to stay with Brady in Tampa Bay.
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