Patriots trade Rob Gronkowski to Bucs for two picks

Rob Gronkowski is back with Tom Brady, as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday the New England Patriots have traded their all-world tight end to the Buccaneers. The return, a fourth- and seventh-round pick.

Trade, pending physical: Patriots are trading TE Rob Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick, source tells ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020

As only @RobGronkowski can do just got voice message from him with simply and Gronkly said, “I’m baaaaaackkkkkk!” He’s stoked. All moved very quickly @NFLonFOX

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 21, 2020

Gronk retired after the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII. He had a year left on his contract with New England. During the 2019 season he worked for FOX and eventually took on a role with the network and WWE, winning a title at WrestleMania.

From @RosenhausSports on @RobGronkowski: Pending the physical, Rob has agreed to play for Tampa this season. He will honor his current contract at this time."

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 21, 2020

The trade came after a flurry of reports from NFL insiders, one chasing the next with more information.

Sources: Retired #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has told New England that he’s interested in playing football again — and would want to do it with the #Bucs and QB Tom Brady. A trade would have to be worked out for this to happen.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2020

And as a follow-up, reported the teams were discussing a trade for the great tight end.

Patriots and Buccaneers have been discussing a trade for retired TE Rob Gronkowski, per league sources. Gronkowski has one year and $10 million left on his contract. But the two sides are, and have been talking, prior to Thursday’s draft.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020

And the chase off the Rapoport report continued:

Just heard from Gronk, already took his physical for Bucs, trade not completed but he’s coming back for Bucs if all goes through.

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 21, 2020

2020: The year we uncovered the REAL reason for Bucco Bruce's wink pic.twitter.com/BrjDtYjt9E

— Candice Hare (@CandiceHare_) April 21, 2020

This definitely has a "Hall and Nash leave WWE for WCW" feel. pic.twitter.com/VjIfW9BZHJ

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) April 21, 2020

Gronk was on with Andy Cohen this week and told the podcast a reunion was not impossible. “I’m feeling good right now,” he said. “I’m happy where I’m at. You just never know, man. You just never know. You never know. I’m not totally done.”

Gronk says the only thing that’s holding him back is a passion for the game … adding, “I like to stay in shape, but I’ve gotta get that feeling back.”

His most recent activity was winning the 24/7 title at WrestleMania.