Rob Gronkowski is one of the biggest names hitting free agency this offseason. Considering he came out of retirement to play alongside Tom Brady again, it’d hardly be surprising to see the tight end leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
CBS Sports Tyler Sullivan expects Gronkowski to do just that.
While he laid out three AFC teams as potential landing spots, Sullivan predicted the 32-year-old will stay close to home and conclude his career with the Buffalo Bills.
“Buffalo provides a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame career, fulfills a childhood dream, and Gronkowski can join a team that is ready to seriously contend for a Super Bowl with an MVP caliber quarterback,” Sullivan wrote. “That type of situation is just too good to pass on.”
Sullivan listed the Cincinnati Bengals and Las Vegas Raiders as possibilities before choosing the Bills. Cincinnati may need to replace free agent C.J. Uzomah, and Gronkowski could play with former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in Vegas.
According to The Athletic’s Tim Graham, the Bills want to make that homecoming a reality. He wrote that they contacted Gronkowski last spring, but he preferred to play another year with Brady.
With that obstacle gone, Buffalo stands out as a strong candidate if able to ink the four-time All-Pro to a sensible short-term deal.
One potential hurdle, at least in the court of opinion, is Gronkowski’s cheap shot on cornerback Tre’Davious White in 2017. Per Graham, the Bills are “willing to forgive and forget.”
Buffalo doesn’t necessarily need Gronk, as Dawson Knox caught 11 touchdowns in 17 games — including two in as many playoff games — last year. However, Gronkowski is a superb blocker who often shared the spotlight with Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard in Tampa Bay.
Gronkowski retiring again also remains on the table, but going to the Bills is certainly an intriguing scenario.
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