Is Gronk Next?
February 1st, 2022
The Tom Brady fantasy is officially over. What a thrill ride it was.
Now the Bucs offense is left with beastly offensive linemen, Mike Evans and a bunch of free agents.
As Joe wrote yesterday, general manager Jason Licht will need to answer the following questions in order to re-sign his top players and recruit others.
Who is my quarterback?
Who is my head coach and how long will he be here?
How much are you paying me?
That applies to Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski. Would Gronk, still at the top of his game, consider a third Buccaneers season in 2022? Gronk turns 33 in May and while it’s easy to say Gronk will hang it up because Brady quit, that’s not necessarily reality.
If the Bucs come to Gronk with, say, his former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to replace Brady, and an extra fat one-year contract ($13 million?), would he give it one more year in Tampa?
That sure would go along way toward the Bucs being favored to win the NFC South. And Joe believes keeping Gronk would entice Leonard Fournette to stay in town — knowing Gronk is out there blocking and taking pressure off the run game.
If Gronk leaves, then the Bucs need to go tight end shopping in hurry. O.J. Howard is an unreliable option and Cameron Brate has lost a step and is not a blocker. Also, if Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin returns in free agency after knee (ACL) surgery, it’s a safe bet the Bucs will want to limit his renowned blocking.
For those who enjoy reading between the tea leaves, Gronk on Sunday, per his girlfriend’s Instagram stories feed, was loafing around his living room watching football wearing a Bucs T-shirt. On Saturday, Camille Kostak and Gronk went to Gasparilla and she was wearing a Bucs coat Again, per her Instagram stories account.
Saturday night, Gronk and Camile were hanging with Bucs players and their WAGs.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:06 am
Yep.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:08 am
Yes.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:09 am
Gronk will not play without Brady.
Also don’t understand the lobbying for Jimmy G. If you can’t see that he was carried but an outstanding offense that was actually led by Deebo Samuel and George Kittle then you can’t be helped. That guy is a proven bum
February 1st, 2022 at 11:10 am
Mom! Tom retired you can put away my football pants!
February 1st, 2022 at 11:11 am
It’s highly likely Gronk is gone……..
The first think we need to re-confirm is that BA remains as coach……the question of QB can’t be answered for a while……
The Garrapalo/Gronk combo suggestion too much money…….Ertz & Engram are FAs in 22.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:14 am
I’d say his chances of returning to Tampa Bay are less than zero.
There’s a tiny chance that he’ll return, Gronk likes money and knows how to manage it. If he returns it won’t be with Tampa Bay, it’ll be a contender with enough cap space to pay him.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:14 am
I like the idea but I think that if he plays it may be elsewhere. However it would super cool if Gronk comes back. A lot of what ifs… all hell broke loose. stupid Blitz!
February 1st, 2022 at 11:14 am
Gronk will hang them up too. It really was fun while it lasted. Time to find a blocking TE.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:15 am
Gronk already retired once and only came back because of Brady. Highly doubtful he continues with his football career when he and Brady can go into the HOF together.
So that only leaves Fournette of the original ‘A’ Team left.
Hanibal Brady >> retired
Faceman Gronkowski >> will retire
Maddog Brown >> released
B.A. Fournette >> ?????
February 1st, 2022 at 11:15 am
We need a big name QB or no free agents are coming here.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:15 am
Most likely.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:16 am
God I swear to god if we see the dude who blew it multiple times with super bowl caliber roster as our QB. Jimmy G isn’t that good. He is what Brady’s haters think Brady is.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:17 am
No thanks to Jimmy G. after watching him play against the Rams!!!
February 1st, 2022 at 11:18 am
Gronk is in much better shape now than when he retired from New England. He was physically battered and dispirited after Belichick tried trading him. I think he’s in a better place now physically and emotionally, though truth be told I felt he was wearing down during that final stretch of games.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:19 am
Course he’s done. He was done until Brady called him back. He only came back for his bud. Now they can go into the HOF together.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:26 am
Now is the time for OJ Howard to step up his game (sarcasm)
February 1st, 2022 at 11:26 am
Most probably….
And I disagree with a big name QB is needed in order to bring FA´S….Complete nonsense to me….
This is team is still good, in a ver bad division……We still are the bes team,Carolina and NO are a mess, maybe Atlanta, but I sill preferr the Bucs….
February 1st, 2022 at 11:27 am
alot of unknowns. My list in order below. Get the QB, then build from there.
Jimmy G
Andrew Luck
Aaron Rodgers
Deshaun Watson
Teddy Bridgewater
Kyle Trask
February 1st, 2022 at 11:31 am
Tampa is still a great destination for any FA. Things to do, weather, no state taxes, a very solid roster and a very terrible division.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:32 am
Shultz from the Cowboys I think will be available.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:33 am
There’s no reason for Gronk to come back here.
A large portion of his effectiveness was his chemistry with Brady.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:35 am
Bucs will get a franchise qb soon. Sell the farm for Wilson/Watson. After last offseason and past two drafts I trust Jason Licht. He’ll keep it rolling. No to a re-build, though, let’s maintain the culture Brady brought in.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:38 am
@ Buddhaboy19
That is a nice list. Just a few problems. All of the QBs listed except TB and KT are not free agents. Which means we will have to give several high draft picks in order to trade for them.
Then – we have to pay them. Wilson is due @ $37 million next season. We currently have @ $20 million under the cap to spend. Same with Rodgers and Watson…
Jimmy G and Luck may come cheaper but we will still have to trade for them (draft picks) and pay them.
With TB12 retiring, low salary cap $ available and 27 free agents (12 of which are startrrs) to sign we are officially in rebuild mode. A team in rebuild mode cannot afford big money contracts nor can they afford to give up all of their draft picks.
Look for Gabbert and Trask to compete for the starting job. Teddy B is a posability but not a probability.
All speculation at this point. Just my $.02.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:39 am
Bucs are not trading for the big names they would cost to much yes they have some good pieces but there is still holes that need to be filed that won’t be if you mortgage everything to get Rodgers or Wilson or Carr or cousins it will be a free agent most likely or Trask.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:39 am
Depends on who the Bucs QB is. My guess is if Brady was frustrated with BA maybe Gronk is to. I see him playing in Miami if he plays. He’ll go where the fun is, he doesn’t care about the rings anymore.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:41 am
I have been wondering is it the Jags wavering on hiring Lefty or was he holding off to see what Tom would do…
I believe Gronk is next but interested to see if Lefty will stay or is he also gone…
Trask (or whoever) will likely be more successful if Arians takes over play calling…
Even with Brady as QB, Lefty often started games slow with his play calling…
Would they have beaten the Rams had they started fast and not gotten behind… we will never know!
February 1st, 2022 at 11:42 am
Not sure Bruce Arians really wants his last year of coaching to be with Gabbert and Trask.
Maybe Philip Rivers, heck he’s only 41. ?
February 1st, 2022 at 11:48 am
@ Buddhaboy19
It’s possible but not likely. At least we wouldn’t have to trade for him. But we would still have to pay him @ $20-$25 million and we just don’t have the funds if we are going to bring back at least half of the 27 free agents we currently have to sign.
Again – the Bucs are officially in rebuild mode. I really don’t see any big QB free agents wanting to play here right now.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:49 am
Stop with the JimmyG talk. He sucks, he is just good enough to lose and has proven that. I’d rather have Daniel Jones than that boob and I don’t want Daniel Jones.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:50 am
He’s gone for sure. Maybe we can get that TE from Green Bay when we trade for rodgers
February 1st, 2022 at 11:53 am
@ Tye
I believe BL was a popular interviewee due to the Rooney rule:
“In May 2020, the league changed the Rooney Rule to require teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for a head coaching job and at least one external minority candidate for a coordinator job.”
NFL teams have no choice but to interview black coaches for head coach and coordinator jobs.
Same with Todd Bowles.
I doubt either of them are going anywhere…
February 1st, 2022 at 11:54 am
Whether Gronk stays or not, we need to reload the TE position. Even when he plays, he usually misses some games with injury.
Could be still want to play even without his buddy? It would certainly help in this transitional year.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:56 am
Absolutely no to Jimmy G.
I’d takes Carr or even Minshew over George Clooney’s brother.
February 1st, 2022 at 11:58 am
Tight end position wasn’t a big deal in this offense until Brady and gronk got here now it will go back to the way it was before them. I’m all in on mike evans, Godwin and another big time receiver via free agency or draft. That with Lenny in the backfield would keep us competitive regardless of the quarterback situation because there will be a drop off no matter who replaces Brady. BA wouldn’t change his offense for just anybody
February 1st, 2022 at 12:03 pm
Gronk is gone.
I’m more interested to see what the Bucs do with TE Cam Brate.
With Gronk and OJ gone Brate becomes our #1 TE. He had 245 yards receiving and is slated to make over $7 million.
I hope they can renegotiate that deal and cut it in half or just let Brate go and allow him to test the open market.
But then we will have zero TEs on the roster.
Interesting times at OBP…
February 1st, 2022 at 12:16 pm
Group will retire so he can go into the hall of fame with Brady
February 1st, 2022 at 12:18 pm
If Bowles becomes coach we get to see a Bowles Blunder almost every game.
February 1st, 2022 at 12:19 pm
RG87 is gone. He does not want to catch any football from anybody else other than TB12. I hope I am wrong but if it happens, which is highly likely, we will miss GRONK and thank you for the 2 years of wonderful memories. TB12 and RB87, both ultimate warriors. GOAT’s.
February 1st, 2022 at 12:23 pm
He can haul ass right along with Mr Brady. He wouldn’t play as hard and I guarantee it.
February 1st, 2022 at 12:43 pm
If Brady isn’t here, obviously Gronk is gone.
It’s OK. We had our fun, knew the deal going in. Now we pay for the deal. I’m OK with that, it’s the way things are.
Short if a major trade at QB, you blow things up, start over.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Gronk won’t play in Tampa next year, that much is certain. If a team on the verge of a Superbowl came to him with a one year fully guaranteed deal for let’s say 13-14 million, it’s possible he plays one more year. In all likelihood he’s done.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:02 pm
Gronk is gone, but it’s ok, we needed to draft a new TE anyways.
As long as Arians is coach, we really only need one that can catch anyways
February 1st, 2022 at 1:03 pm
Either Carr or wilson or Trask.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:06 pm
I think there’s a possibility Brady takes the show out west and takes Gronk/AB with him…assuming Jimmy G is let go. His retirement will force the Bucs to either run with Trask or bring another vet. Either way the Bucs will likely spend up all the cap they have to compete in the division….and that’s when he “unretires” and heads west with his band of buddies.
I think AB was Brady’s hedge to losing Godwin to injury or free agency. With no AB, Brady sees the writing on the wall.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Walkda Plank is CORRECT Jimmy G sucks
February 1st, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Roll w trask dump Godwin prepare for future and reality
Some of these young guys are not gamers. Bye Dean Bye Davis need some better DB’s who actually care
Devin White is soooooo Overrated not great #5 pick
February 1st, 2022 at 1:17 pm
& I LOVE GODWIN but w no proven QB and his injury we should spend money elsewhere.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Jimmy G isn’t the answer. His best fit last year was in NE, but he wasn’t willing to take a pay cut. Don’t think he’s in love with football. He’s injury prone and it makes his lack luster skill appear even worse
February 1st, 2022 at 2:41 pm
If Bucs and 49ers (or Seattle or Las Vegas) want to enter into to trade negotiations, they can do that now, right? Don’t have to wait for free agency?
February 1st, 2022 at 3:31 pm
Getting the TE is simple.
I said this guy’s name WEEKS ago.
Mike Gesiecki – Dolphins f/a TE…..
This guy in a passing offense would roll!!
He’s a physical blocker as well…
February 1st, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Gronk is defientaly done with the Bucs if we are going cheap at QB this year.
If hes not retiring he will head sonewhere with a big time QB. Maybe we get Rodgers or Wilson like some of you hope and Gronk stays here. I dont think this team is in position to make a big move at QB but i guess we will see.
February 1st, 2022 at 6:25 pm
Stop clammering for a TE too. Bruce doesnt focus on TE in his offense. He dont need a bigtime TE, he needs a blocking TE and a posession guy. He made an exception for Gronk because Tom wanted him and it would be foolish not to give Tom a prefered target.
Im guessing we find a cheap solid TE on the streets or maybe a low draft guy. Dont think ots a high priority.
February 1st, 2022 at 7:34 pm
would be cool to see Tom and gronk at Canton together for one last time
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:36 pm
Guys,
My man Gronk.dislikes others pegging his future on $$$ alone. Sure, he is a great strategist in that sense but truthfully, he’s got a septillion other factors to consider. Lest we forget, BUCS lost 1/2 of their superstar corps before playoffs. If EVERYONE healthy, BUCS could have beaten Rams no question. Besides, a FG kicker who makes 81% of his attempts? Come on. Obvious changes could be soon in hand. Also I got the real sense that Gronk was indeed a leader within. Cannot discount this. He is set for the HOF…..has like ,$50,000,000.00 in assets, etc. So with status and liquidity totally in hand…why go chasing after more like one’s life depended upon it? You MUST take in ALL the variables here. He and his beautiful Lady truly love Tampa Bay. Social posts point towards Florida as a fav place. Not the ONLY one, no….but nevertheless, FAMILY at this point figures in mightily! Where do Mom and Broski’s live mainly? This family is incredibly CLOSE! Just don’t discount that. If he stays in Florida, think it through further….Would he sign with The Fish? Doubtful. I am almost 85% sure he will continue playing if factors all are met. Remember: he’s been out before, came out of retirement. There are those who say it was because Brady asked him to. No. Wrong. It’s because Gronk asked Gronk if he wanted to continue. The NFL is an unforgiving place. All things told, I’d say the Jimmy G. POV isn’t that far off the hash mark. But how did Gronk and Jimmy do together? Look it up? A move to a brand new team…..takes a LOT out of you. You want your home base SOLID. IF THERE IS ONE THING my man Gronk loves and cherishes….it’s family. I think if he stays….he plays. One more, at least!!