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Rob Gronkowski reunited with Tom Brady

Patriots tight end comes out of retirement to join former teammate, Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady
Posted at 4:57 PM, Apr 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-21 20:16:15-04

That didn't last long.

Rob Gronkowski, who retired after the 2018 season, has decided to come out of retirement to join his former teammate in Tampa.

Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN on Tuesday that the New England Patriots have agreed to trade the 30-year-old tight end to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Patriots will receive a fourth-round draft pick, while the Buccaneers will also receive a seventh-round pick, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

RELATED: Tom Brady booted from Tampa park

Gronkowski and Brady were teammates in New England from 2010-18, winning three Super Bowls together.

Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady celebrate with Lombardi Trophy
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 28-24.

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski: A Time to Remember

SeasonRecordDivisionPlayoffs
201014-2AFC East ChampionsLost to Jets in divisional playoffs
201113-3AFC East ChampionsLost to Giants in Super Bowl XLVI
201212-4AFC East ChampionsLost to Ravens in AFC Championship
201312-4AFC East ChampionsLost to Broncos in AFC Championship
201412-4AFC East ChampionsSuper Bowl XLIX Champions
201512-4AFC East ChampionsLost to Broncos in AFC Championship
201614-2AFC East ChampionsSuper Bowl LI Champions
201713-3AFC East ChampionsLost to Eagles in Super Bowl LII
201811-5AFC East ChampionsSuper Bowl LIII Champions

Although Gronkowski retired in March 2019 after a nine-year career, the Patriots still hold the rights to the five-time Pro Bowl player.

ESPN reports that Gronkowski has one year and $9 million remaining on his current contract with the Patriots.

The deal is pending a physical, but a source told Schefter that Gronkowski has passed.

Gronkowski alluded to a return to the NFL as recently as Monday, telling Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live" that he's "feeling good right now."

"You just never know, man," Gronkowski said. "You never know."

Gronkowski stirred suspicions in February with a cryptic message shared on Brady's Instagram page. The post showed Brady working out on the beach shortly after Super Bowl LIV in South Florida.

Brady's one-time favorite target simply replied: "When you take year off, 52 + 31 = 83 + 4 weeks (miss pre season) now equals = 87 weeks to get better Tom. Think bout that 🤔"

In addition to their three Super Bowl rings together, Brady and Gronkowski combined to win nine consecutive AFC East Division titles and play in eight straight AFC Championship games.

Arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, Gronkowski set franchise records in New England for touchdown receptions (79), most games with multiple touchdowns (16) and most games with at least 100 receiving yards by a tight end (26). The longtime wrestling fan signed a contract with the WWE last month and is the reigning champion of the WWE 24/7 Championship.