Rob Gronkowski Re-Signs with Buccaneers: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed TE Rob Gronkowski to a one-year deal with $10 million.
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A chance to run it back: Tight end Rob Gronkowski is returning to the Bucs on a one-year deal worth $10 million, @DrewJRosenhaus told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
Rob Gronkowski Re-Signs with Buccaneers
There were only two moves for Rob Gronkowski to make. Retire or return to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Gronkowski elected to re-sign with Tampa Bay and chase another Super Bowl ring with Brady, his longtime teammate from the Patriots, and now poised to enter their second year together with the Bucs.
While multiple media outlets were reporting that Gronkowski wanted to “dip his toes" into the open free-agent market to “see what’s out there," per the future Hall of Fame tight end’s remarks on the Kyle Brandt Podcast, Tampa Bay was always going to be the landing spot.
Gronk in free agency seems like it will be a normal thing, noting to Brandt that he will be a “one-year deal guy" for the duration of his career. However, it is safe to say that Gronkowski will go as Brady does. They are tied at the hip.
In his first year with the Buccaneers and out of retirement, Gronkowski had a solid year, posting a 45/623/7 stat line on 77 targets with 13.8 yards per catch, his lowest average since 2014 (13.7). Despite a low for Gronk, his 13.8 yards per catch ranked second at his position in that category. Gronkowski did manage to start all 16 regular-season games for the first time since 2011, a sign that his year off did his body good well.
Although Gronkowski is no longer the receiver he once was, he remains a mismatch nightmare, a red zone threat and most importantly, a fine blocking asset. Gronkowski played in the third-most offensive snaps at the tight end position (1,032) last season, 527 of which, on pass or run-blocking assignments.
As of this writing, the Buccaneers will open 2021 with Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, and O.J. Howard, who missed all but four games last season due to a Week 4 Achilles injury, under contract. However, with Howard entering his walk-year, there is a chance Tampa Bay trades him ahead of the new season. Regardless, it is a safe bet that Gronkowski’s 2021 role will be similar to his place on the team in 2020, atop the Buccaneers’ tight end depth chart.
Buccaneers 2021 NFL Betting Outlook
Buccaneers Super Bowl 56 Winner (+650)
(Odds courtesy of PointsBet)
While the Chiefs made a splash one day-one of NFL Free Agency, signing former Patriots standout G Joe Thuney to a blockbuster deal, they still need to address both tackle spots and center along their offensive front. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are the early winners of the offseason — along with the Patriots.
The Buccaneers have re-signed Gronkowski, Shaq Barrett and Lavonte David while placing the franchise tag on Chris Godwin. Their most notable free agents are returning for another run, terrific news for those who placed wagers on Tampa Bay to repeat.
I’m all over the Buccaneers to win Super Bowl 56 and you should be too. They still have personnel moves to make including deciding what to do with Leonard Fournette, Antonio Brown and Ndamukong Suh, but it is safe to say that barring an injury to Brady, the Buccaneers will be playing football next February. Get Tampa now before they jump ahead of Kansas City as the top overall favorite to win Super Bowl 56.
Buccaneers NFC South Winner (-140)
(Odds courtesy of PointsBet)
- Buccaneers (-140)
- Saints (+225)
- Panthers (+800)
- Falcons (+850)
Before Vegas adjusts these odds, get in on Tampa Bay to win the NFC South. Currently standing at (-140) they have separated themselves from the rest of the pack by retaining their own significant assets. What’s more, the Saints haven’t helped themselves. In fact, they are trending in the wrong direction. In the wake of Drew Brees’ retirement, the Saints also made moves to get under the salary cap, most notably, releasing TE Jared Cook, TE Josh Hill, OG Nick Easton and WR Emmanuel Sanders.
The Saints also lost 2020 breakout pass-rusher, Trey Hendrickson, on the first day off free agency. The most notable move the Saints have made was retaining Jameis Winson, the expected outcome. He will compete with Taysom Hill to see who will emerge as the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback.
The NFC South is Tampa Bay’s division to lose and your best bet to make right now.
