Rapoport: Gronkowski Was Part Of Tom Brady’s Pitch
May 1st, 2020
NFL Network reporter/insider Ian Rapoport is certain Tom Brady was working the Buccaneers to reunite with Rob Gronkowski before Brady agreed to play for them.
That sentence might not surprise anyone, but it might stun those who think Brady has no influence in personnel matters at One Buc Palace.
Rapoport talked to WEEI radio in New England and discussed the Brady sales pitch — that extended beyond Tampa Bay.
“He told people during the process, the teams in the process who were actually interested in had offers that he wanted to bring Gronk with him,” Rapoport said. “So that much I knew, but that was a third of the story because Gronk still needed to actually want to come back and be ready to come back and the Patriots had to deal him. So there were so many things that had to happen.”
Of the Brady presentation, “It was more like here’s what I want to do. Is this something you guys would be willing to do? If so, let’s explore.”
Yes, players can negotiate with players and talk about changing teams and forcing trades. The rules for team management don’t apply to them.
Interestingly, Rapoport said he has had many 1-on-1 chats with Gronkowski, who he said was sickened by his 2018 game film and that was a major reason he retired.
May 1st, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Bucs fans have had a long 10+ year wait to have an off-season where they can be positive and excited looking forward to a possible winning season… One where Bucs fans who have taken up to a decade long hiatus will return to fill RJS and be a part of changing the losing atmosphere..
Good times to be a Bucs fan!
May 1st, 2020 at 12:32 pm
As if TB wasn’t enough already. Of course bring GRONK along! Who wouldn’t have said yes?
May 1st, 2020 at 12:35 pm
If we do not get to camp on time it’s going to be a problem! Hope they can report on time even if it means the fans not being allowed to attend. Can
May 1st, 2020 at 1:00 pm
At this point can u really trust anything Ian Rappaport reports. Feel like he’s the most inaccurate reporter out there.
… but either way, who cares 🤷🏻♂️
May 1st, 2020 at 1:01 pm
It probably should have been Edelman.
May 1st, 2020 at 1:01 pm
That’s right Tye all the real Bucs fans, who can afford it, have been at Raymond James all along rooting for our team not waiting for someone else’s superstard to come in here and try to bail us out at 43 years old. You nailed it exactly sir, bandwagoners welcome back!
May 1st, 2020 at 1:06 pm
I like how these insiders come up with the most obvious scenarios. And then report that as news. Yes Brady was going somewhere he felt he had input in. Yes he and Gronk are boys and probably spoke about them getting back together.
Turn the page already!!!
May 1st, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Patriots fan following along the Gronk/Brady TB saga. This report by Rap could have been reported by any fan. Either way good for Tampa. Gronk wasn’t the same his last season. He went weeks where he was an afterthought. The Patriots used him heavy in the blocking game. I am hoping the year off and reduce workload for him in Tampa will get the old Gronk back.
Id be slightly fearful as a Buccaneers fan that this damn Covid-19 could spoil what would be an epic season. I know if Brady was with the Pats I would be worried about losing a year of him.
May 1st, 2020 at 1:33 pm
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!
JW GRIEF TOUR….starting @Ndog…featuring lamarcus
running 55+ days strong!!!!!
hurry quick..theres still room for more…
GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2020 at 2:02 pm
813.. Bro, you should cut them a break.. They are hurting!.. hurting people lash out not knowing what to do with their feelings.. Pride can’t stand to be wrong and will go into self preservation to save face… Not usually this long but every person process differently..
May 1st, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Report…..you know like the one saying Howard was on the trade block again lol.
May 1st, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Make fun if you want now guys but the grief tour is going to last a lot longer than 55 days, more like the next decade unfortunately we’ll all be grieving together by that point but you’ll see you’ll see.
May 1st, 2020 at 2:17 pm
For the record no one’s been proven wrong not people who believe this is going to work or the people that think James is going to suck or the people that think James is going to be great there’s a long way to go except for the people who believe that Brady is going to work they have two years while Jameis has the next 10 to 12 you see my point you guys are slow-minded and short-timers but we’ll see who’ll be here in the long run, I know I will you probably won’t be though.
May 1st, 2020 at 2:42 pm
The head roach trying to bring down the fans of the team. Not going to happen.
May 1st, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Dbs How’s the head coach bringing the fans? The head coach is building a winning culture for the fans and the young won who never see the team win Superbowl
May 1st, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Can you read? ROACH Crawling in his self misery .
May 1st, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Afo. where does it say coach???
May 1st, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Moderation. do you think I care?
May 1st, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Hey, Ndog you do you know what NFL means right? Not For Long. So you say, 10 to 12 years more of Winston playing in the NFL. By the way, While you have on your signed Dionne Warwick Psychic Friends Network hat. Could you please find it in your Buc fan heart to share the Lotto numbers with me thru Joebucsfan. Please!
May 1st, 2020 at 4:07 pm
@Ndog boy I love your ride or die attitude about Jameis. I also think the kid has a bright future and that if the same changes we’re making for Brady were made for Jameis we’d see him being a better QB next year. The only problem is that didn’t happen we’ve got Brady and the changes are happening. Heck we’ll never know if Jameis not being brought back is part of the reason JPP and Suh finally agreed to come back. My point is this get on board with what’s going on this year enjoy the ride and if Jameis turns it around like you and me both think he will then lets just hope it’s not in our division and if he stays in our division I hope he never figures it out. I’m a Jameis fan but a Bucs fan 1st.
May 1st, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Are you a Jameis fan or a Bucs fan? You are upset about the Bucs having Brady instead of Jameis? Really? joesaintsfan is awaiting your arrival NDog.
May 1st, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Every Bucs jersey I have, and I mean every one, is a Winston jersey. I have the white, the red, the color rush, and the military one. I wanted to bring him back so badly because I thought he would reduce the INTs with another year in the system. My mind is totally changed because we got Brady. If anyone can adjust to a shorter preseason, it is Brady. Jameis needed all of the OTAs and such to make that improvement. I wish him all of the best (hopefully not in New Orleans),but there is no way in hell that JW was gonna come in here with this strange offseason and “get it”. Love you JW, but 30 INTs in 1 season vs. a Vegas over/under of 10.5 for Brady plus the fact that no one cared to give an offer even close to what you asked from the Bucs. Get your sh&t together dude. Otherwise, you will go down as one of the most epic failures in NFL history. Especially when your weakness is mental, not physical.
May 1st, 2020 at 6:16 pm
@ Dbs I’m sorry, I read it wrong
May 1st, 2020 at 7:00 pm
It’s a case of a greedy, egotistical, no performing idiot. He’s a schizoid, and played like one. But when he opened his mouth, a two year old was more eloquent, and smarter. Let’s let him go now, he’s gone and we can finally enjoy being a fan again.
May 1st, 2020 at 10:16 pm
That’s Brady, Always thinking two steps ahead.
The General wants his Lieutenant, The General gets it!
Go Bucs!!
May 2nd, 2020 at 2:57 am
If the Bucs get caught cheating we know it’s Brady
May 2nd, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Now the Bucs need to get Brady’s lil bro Edelman for say Brate or Howard. Mission accomplished.