Rob Gronkowski is set to reverse his NFL retirement and sensationally reunite with former New England Patriots team-mate Tom Brady as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to widespread reports on Tuesday.
One of the most dominant tight ends in league history, 'Gronk' initially stepped away from football in March 2019 after nine years and three Super Bowl titles in New England, all won with Brady under centre.
While the 30-year-old has since embarked upon other ventures including a recent stint in the WWE where he claimed the 24/7 title at Wrestlemania 36, rumours over an eventual return to the NFL have constantly circulated and are now poised to become a reality.
Senior NFL insiders such as Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday evening that Gronkowski does indeed intend to make a comeback to the sport, but in reunion with Brady, who left New England in March after a hugely successful two-decade stint that yielded Six Super Bowl rings and instead signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers believed to be worth $50million.
Things then progressed quickly, with reports that New England - where Gronkowski still has one year left to run on his current contract - had entered into talks over a trade with Tampa Bay, with the two sides agreeing a package that will see the Patriots give up the player and a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a fourth-rounder.
"Rob has agreed to play for Tampa this season. He will honor his current contract at this time," agent Drew Rosenhaus said, according to Rapoport.
Gronkowski is reported to have already undergone a physical ahead of the move being made official.
The deal - struck just two days before the start of the 2020 NFL Draft that will be held in a fully virtual format instead of in Las Vegas due to the coronavirus pandemic - further strengthens a dynamic Buccaneers offense that already includes wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and third-year running back Ronald Jones II.
Tampa Bay already have two tight ends on their current roster in OJ Howard and Cameron Brate, though rumours over recent days have indicated that the former may now be available via trade.
