Tampa Bay Buccaneers intend to 'reload' for another title run

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Rob Gronkowski was considering having his agent negotiate with teams that have telegraphed interest in him recently, and that process was supposed to start Monday at noon when the NFL’s so-called legal tampering period opens for players becoming free agents.

Upon seeing what opportunities lay ahead, Gronkowski was going to decide whether to …

…Retire.

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Tom Brady #12 and Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers react after a touchdown during the third quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

…Or sign as a free agent somewhere other than Tampa Bay where he played the past two seasons.

And then Tom Brady announced on Twitter Sunday evening he’s returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2022. And that changes, well, everything.

You know where Gronkowski now wants to play in 2022? Yeah, Tampa Bay, where he can reunite with his friend Brady, per a source.

The Buccaneers have 23 players who are free agents starting at noon, including starters cornerback Carlton Davis, guard Alex Cappa, running back Leonard Fournette, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and safety Jordan Whitehead.

Other free agents such as running backs Ronald Jones and Gio Bernard are solid contributors.

And the Bradyless Bucs seemed destined to lose most of those players because the club had no championship replacement at quarterback and few prospects of landing one. But the fact that Brady and now quite possibly Gronkowski are coming back might convince others to reconsider returning as well.

We know