The surprises just won’t stop coming in the NFL this offseason, and that trend continued with a huge bit of news that almost no one saw coming on Tuesday.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, who retired at the age of 30 following the last NFL season, has decided to unretire and has subsequently been traded from the New England Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gronkowski has been one of the biggest stars in the league as a Patriot since he was drafted in 2010. A five-time Pro Bowler and a four-time first-team All-Pro Bowl selection during his decade in New England, he shocked the world by announcing a premature retirement after the conclusion of the 2019 season.
However, after Tom Brady chose to sign with the NFC South team earlier in the offseason, it appears that Gronk changed his mind.
Gronkowski made it clear that he wanted to return to the field to reunite with Brady in Tampa Bay, but that he would not return to play for the Patriots. With this in mind, his former team decided to ship him to his preferred destination along with a 7th round pick in exchange for a 3rd round pick.
In an offseason full of surprises, Gronkowski’s return to the field is one of the highest on the list.
