The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem convinced that Rob Gronkowski won’t come out of retirement this time.
The Bucs have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph, ESPN reported earlier on Thursday.
Tampa Bay needed to give Tom Brady a starting tight end after Gronkowski’s retirement and OJ Howard’s release in free agency. Given this, the former tight end of the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants will compete for ownership with Cameron Brate.
Tampa Tom has a new TE target.
11-year veteran and 2x Pro Bowler Kyle Rudolph — formerly of the Vikings and Giants — is signing a one-year contract with the Buccaneers, confirmed by @gregauman. pic.twitter.com/EqLpyvkpgZ
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) July 21, 2022
Rudolph was released by the Giants in March after a disappointing season in New York, with just 26 receptions, 257 yards and one touchdown in 13 games.
In 10 years with the Minnesota Vikings, he caught 453 passes for 4,488 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Brady’s options at the TE position
The Bucs’ training camp will also report to rookies Cade Otton (fourth round of the 2022 Draft) and Ko Kieft (sixth round).
It will be difficult to replace ‘Gronk’ in the Tampa Bay offense, and not only because of the close relationship he has with Brady.
In two seasons at Tampa Bay, Gronkowski finished with 100 receptions, 1,425 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the Playoffs he added three more touchdowns, including two in Super Bowl LV, as the Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.
“I wouldn’t go back (to the NFL). I am ready for this new stage. I enjoy what I do and I enjoy trying to find what I really want to do,” said ‘Gronk’ on Good Morning America. “It was my decision to stop, it was definitely time; it just felt good.”