Rob Gronkowski: Buccaneers 'optimistic' TE will sign new deal

Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter Rick Stroud has dropped a big claim about Rob Gronkowski’s future with the team.

To say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Rob Gronkowski have been good for each other might be something of an understatement. They get arguably the best tight end who has ever played the game to help them become a perennial Super Bowl contender, whilst he gets to play with Tom Brady once again, the quarterback who he has caught all bar two of his career touchdown passes from. 

And whilst he has been somewhat limited in terms of what he can do as injuries and age catch up to him, he has still been able to put up some impressive numbers, hauling in 1,651 yards and catching 16 touchdowns across the past two seasons he’s been with the Bucs. Not quite what he could put up during his prime with the New England Patriots, but still effective enough.

After two years though, whilst Brady looks set to continue for at least the next year, Gronk and his place within the Buccaneers organisation is still to be sorted out.

The 33-year-old currently remains listed as a ‘free agent’, meaning that he is free to sign for anyone in the league. However the longer he goes without being on a roster, as teams begin minicamp and enter the final stages of preparation before the start of the season, the higher chances that he could retire.

Which, when you look at all that he’s involved with off the field, from endorsements to TV and film appearances and a whole host of others, stepping away from the field doesn’t look as if it would be a concern of his, as he’s got plenty to keep him occupied: