Gronk to Bucs: Patriots trade Rob Gronkowski to Tampa Bay

Tom Brady and Gronk are back together.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced in a news release Tuesday night that they acquired four-time All-Pro Rob Gronkowski from the New England Patriots. Tampa Bay sent a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft to the Patriots to acquire the rights to the tight end. The Bucs also will receive a seventh-round pick from New England.

Gronkowski, who played nine seasons with the Patriots, retired after the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII n February 2019. It was Gronkowski’s third Super Bowl championship with the Patriots and Brady.

Welcome to Tampa, @RobGronkowski 😎#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/WM0tLyTCKk
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 22, 2020

“Rob Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and he plays the game with the type of passion and desire that sets him apart,” Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht said in a news release. “Rob has played his entire career alongside Tom Brady and their accomplishments speak for themselves. Together they have developed the type of chemistry on and off the field that is crucial to success. Rob combines elite-level skills as both a receiver and blocker but what really makes him special is the fact that he’s a proven winner who brings that championship mindset and work ethic.”

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Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6, 268-pounder, will be reunited with Brady, who signed a two-year deal with Tampa Bay in March.

Brady threw 78 of his 541 career touchdown passes to Gronkowski -- more than any other receiver.

Gronk is back. 💪 pic.twitter.com/bwVjz9HGRW
— NFL (@NFL) April 21, 2020

Over his 115 regular-season games, including 100 starts, Gronkowski made 521 catches for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.

Gronkowski hinted at a possible return to action on the latest episode of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live.” Host Andy Cohen asked Gronkowski if he could play with Brady again, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

“I’m feeling good right now, I’m happy where I’m at, and you just never know, man,” Gronkowski said. “You just never know. You never know. I’m not totally done. I like to stay in shape. But I’ve got to get that feeling back.”