Rob Gronkowski Rumors: Retired Patriots tight end a valuable trade asset

If retired Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski returns to the NFL, there is a good chance it won’t be in New England.

Just as New England Patriots fans now have to adjust with Tom Brady playing in a different uniform in 2020, there are rumblings that Rob Gronkowski, the greatest tight end in team history and perhaps the NFL, could join him in Tampa Bay.

That’s right, those Rob Gronkowski “coming out of retirement” rumors are swirling again despite the former NFL star currently enjoying both retirement and his new reign as WWE 24/7 Champion.

With the Patriots in dire need of a tight end, the possibility of Gronk coming out of retirement and returning to the football field as always been a surrounding the team ever since the dominant playmaker traded in his shoulder pads for the world of entertainment prior to the 2019 NFL season.

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But, now with Tom Brady joining a very talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, Rob Gronkowski returning to the New England Patriots seems even further unlikely than it was if Brady decided to play out his storied career in Foxborough.

So, what about Rob Gronkowski joining Brady in Tampa Bay?

If that were to happen in 2020, the New England Patriots would have to trade his rights, which would certainly intrigue Bill Belichick who was ready to ship Rob Gronkowski to the Detroit Lions prior to the 2018 NFL season.

So, if the 30-year-old Gronk showed any interest in returning in NFL, the Buccaneers could and should be the team calling Belichick despite already having a pretty good tight end tandem in O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.

When asked about the possibility, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht doesn’t rule out the idea, although he believes Rob Gronkowski has focused his interests on the WWE.

"“Well, he’s doing a pretty good job in WrestleMania right now,” Licht said, via ESPN.com. “I have no idea if he’d want to play.”"

Just like the team didn’t think they had a shot of luring Tom Brady to the sunny state of Florida, imagine if that also included Gronkowski who has stated he only wants to play with the famed quarterback.

Related Story. 5 things we love about Rob Gronkowski. light

Before Patriots fans growl as the idea, it would be very Belichick if the team could get something back for a player they don’t have in their plans anyway. Not only would it make sense on the level of getting something in return for Rob Gronkowski, it would also be beneficial financially.

If Gronk decided his current reign as WWE 24/7 champion was not outweighing his desire to play football again, the New England Patriots would not be able to afford the tight end due to their current salary cap restrictions. They would have to cut players to make room or trade the rights.

Why a Rob Gronkowski trade makes sense

According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, who further explored a possibility of a trade, the team would take a nearly $10 million cap hit to get Gronkowski back on the field.

Currently, the Buccaneers don’t really need a tight end, but the team would be crazy to turn down any prospect of the great Rob Gronkowski joining his pal Tom Brady and it would be beneficial to their former team.

How?

Well, the New England Patriots could get a mid-round pick in return for the rights to the All-Pro tight end…at the least. Another possibility is Tampa trading either O.J. Howard or Cameron Brate back to New England.

Next. New England Patriots: Top 5 pass catching tight ends of all time. dark

Knowing Bill Belichick, the draft capital may have more of an enticement given the team’s current financial situation and a need to address and get younger at other positions of the roster.

In all, the Rob Gronkowski rumors are not going to quiet anytime soon whether we like it or not. But, now his return has turned into a trade asset for Bill Belichick, who would have a say in where the team’s all-time touchdown receptions leader plays if he wants to return to the NFL.

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