What Rob Gronkowski to the Bucs means for the New Orleans Saints
Once retired tight end Rob Gronkowski has been traded to Tampa Bay, and he’ll now solidify himself as one of the New Orleans Saints’ top rivals.
Rob Gronkowski is coming back to the NFL, and he’s staying with his long-time quarterback Tom Brady. This time, they’ll be playing in the New Orleans Saints’ NFC South. Yes, that’s correct — it’s still the Saints division.
The Bucs are loaded coming into the 2020 season.
After a disappointing 2019 season, the Bucs brought in Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the roster, Brady had amply weapons to contend in the NFC South immediately upon his arrival.
Now, he’ll be adding Rob Gronkowski as well. Gronk, as he’s better known, is one of the best tight ends to ever play as well.
Turning 31 next year, Gronk will return to the league slower and a bit less capable than he was, but nonetheless, he’s still going to be a top-five tight end in the league and one you want on your side in crunch time.
However, he did pass his physical, and he is officially a Buccaneer, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
And now, Rob Gronkowski officially has passed his physical, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020
Trade is complete.
Gronkowski, like Tom Brady, is a Buccaneer.
With O.J. Howard on the team as well, the Bucs will be able to trade one tight end to improve their defense or offensive line. Either way, Brady, who isn’t the same as the Brady of 2015 either, will easily have enough weapon to make the playoffs.
What it means is that, for the first time in quite a while, the NFC South may have a Wild Card team. Typically only have one represent the division, the Saints have won the south for three straight seasons.
Gronk’s addition shouldn’t change who analysts think will be the division’s best team. However, he does make the Bucs at least the second-best team with the Panthers and Falcons having also improved their roster this offseason.
With a league-high 17 touchdowns in 2011 and five 1,000-yard seasons in his nine-year career, Gronk has been absolutely dominant, and if he somehow returns to full force, it wouldn’t be overly shocking for Tampa Bay to rival for the division.
We’ll need to see a rejuvenated Brady as well.
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For the Saints, it means they’ll have true competition, and we’ll have to see if it can truly all come together in Tampa Bay.