The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots shocked the football world earlier this week, agreeing to a trade that sent future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski to Tampa.
This comes after Gronkowski ended his one-year retirement. He’ll now join former Patriots teammate Tom Brady on the Buccaneers.
In talking to the media one day after the trade became official, the five-time Pro Bowler noted that he’s much leaner than his days with the Patriots.
Given the injuries that defined the latter years of Gronk’s tenure in New England, this is no small thing. The four-time All-Pro also noted that he’s been working himself back into football shape.
At 30-years old, Gronkowski is nowhere past his prime. Playing at 12-15 pounds less than his average weight in New England could lead to a career resurrection with the Buccaneers. That’s no small thing.
Of course, Gronkowski also noted that he could look to gain those pounds and play at the weight he did with the Patriots.
Time will tell on that front.