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Gronk: Bucs Move Better Than Patriots Pats
28 Oct
Summary
- Gronkowski states joining Tampa Bay was the best career move.
- He won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers after leaving the Patriots.
- Family and avoiding rival teams influenced his decision.
Rob Gronkowski has declared that his decision to leave the New England Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the most beneficial move of his career. Despite winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots, Gronkowski stated on the "Glass Half Full" podcast that joining Tampa Bay was "the best scenario" and the "best thing that ever happened" to his career.
After retiring from the Patriots in March 2019, Gronkowski returned to the NFL in 2020, reuniting with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. He acknowledged conversations with Brady before his unretirement, where Brady inquired about his potential return. Gronkowski also expressed a desire not to join a Patriots rival like the Miami Dolphins or New York Jets due to his affection for New England.
The Buccaneers’ location in Florida offered personal advantages, including proximity to his mother, which was a significant draw. Furthermore, Gronkowski felt his body was healthy and the Buccaneers, who went 7-9 in 2019, were a solid team that needed a few key additions to contend. The team subsequently improved to 11-5 in 2020, culminating in a Super Bowl LV victory.
Gronkowski called the 2020 Buccaneers team the best he ever played on, surpassing even his championship teams with the Patriots. He played two seasons with Tampa Bay, winning a total of four Super Bowls across both franchises before retiring again in June 2022.
