Report: Gronk’s Hometown Team Showed Him The Money
March 16th, 2021
Hardcore fans of Rob Gronkowski know he grew up a devoted fan of his neighborhood football program at the University of Buffalo, and a lover of Byron Leftwich during his QB stardom in the Mid-American Conference.
Joe suspects Gronk far prefers his Florida lifestyle after a career in New England, but it seems they still remember him well in Buffalo.
Per ProFootballTalk.com, longtime NFL Network reporter/analyst Mike Silver reported that the Bills made a run at signing Gronk, extending a “similar offer” to the veteran tight end as the one-year, $10 million deal (including incentives) he signed to stay in Tampa.
Remember Joe writing multiple times about how Gronk oddly kept saying he was coming back (“baby”) but wouldn’t say to where? Well, it seems Joe’s nose was sniffing trouble appropriately.
As Joe explained on this morning’s Ira Kaufman Podcast, the fact Gronk got top-6 tight end money and a chance at a nice raise — during a season filled with cost-cutting — was evidence someone was coming hard at him and the Bucs had lost leverage.
Good for Gronk. And good for the Bucs.
Enjoy today’s Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
March 16th, 2021 at 3:46 pm
I still very much think the only thing at issue was term – I strongly believe the Bucs wanted him to do a 2-year deal because they don’t want dead cap next year since they’re still planning on being in their window, meanwhile Gronk only wanted to commit for 1-year. I doubt money was an issue. The downside for the Bucs on this deal is next year, if Gronk retires, I believe that accelerates the cap hit – although I’m sure there are some accounting tricks you can still do to help with that.
Also considering how much TE’s are going for, I’m now a bit skeptical that the Bucs will in fact cut OJ or Brate – if they get rid of one of them it might be as a trade, or they might just keep them, maybe modifying Brate’s deal (I don’t think they can do anything OJ since he’s on his rookie deal).
March 16th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
His attitude and comfort with TB is worth a few mill.
Brady and Gronk: “We ain’t going nowhere”—was epic and continues to be.
where’s the guy who said Suh is about to sign-source?
and is it true OJ’s 6 mill is guaranteed. i.e. even if they cut him they take the cap hit.
Thanks, and I’m sure your used to my ignorance.
March 16th, 2021 at 4:04 pm
Robert – Interesting, I didn’t realize it, but OJ’s contract becomes guaranteed if he’s on the team tomorrow, so as of right now, it is not guaranteed except for injury that would keep him out for all of 2021, and while he was injured, it’s nothing that would keep him from playing.
But an interesting twist since we now have a clicking clock to contend with.
March 16th, 2021 at 4:06 pm
Haha, Gronk go from Tampa to Buffalo, NO freaking way. You think New England is cold, try Buffalo. This is better then Pat’s signing Henry & Smith for Kelce & Kittle money. Bucs got a steal. Gronk coming off the couch last year has better stats than either of them.
March 16th, 2021 at 4:12 pm
OJ has no cap hit traded or released. In a couple of days give the Chargers a call they just lost Hunter Henry to the Pats.
March 16th, 2021 at 4:37 pm
And now we have GM wannabes who want to cut or trade OJ.
Ever think about something called quality depth, not to mention the three TE package with Mike out wide, or a 4TE package with Lenny?
Naw let’s screw that up.
I think JL is proving he understands how to manage cap costs and affordability in the quest to go for two. I’m happy he’s in the chair instead of some of you clowns.
March 16th, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Gronk is worth it.
March 16th, 2021 at 4:58 pm
We will probably see Brady use the TEs more next year…..especially if we are without AB.
March 16th, 2021 at 5:45 pm
A healthy OJ is a deadly weapon. Couple that with a full speed and healthy Gronk and it’s lights out folks. I really hope we get Antonio Brown back just to repeat the absolute ridiculousness of offensive firepower. A healthy and in sync offense – here come them big bad Bucs!
March 16th, 2021 at 6:33 pm
Letting Brown go will be a major hit to offense. Watch how technical his receptions are. Watches the ball into his hands and tucks it immediately to protect the ball. Always finds open space and comes back to the ball. He’s crazy good and like Gronk came off the couch. Scotty & Tyler cannot match his talent.
March 16th, 2021 at 7:06 pm
We won the S.B. without O.J..Has he ever finished a season? A lot like that safety Evans we carried forever. I’d trade O.J. in a heart beat.
March 16th, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Lots of people expected he’d cost 3-4 million tops. I’m happy to have him back I just hope I doesn’t cost us a Succup, Suh or both.
Does Brate see the writing on the wall and take another pay cut? Can we trust OJ to stay healthy?
March 16th, 2021 at 8:26 pm
Gronk improves the running game big time. He’ll get way more double teams this season…making other players better. He’ll make the big plays. Team guy. Expect him to be good all season.
March 16th, 2021 at 8:35 pm
OJ’s contract becomes guaranteed on at 4pm on March 17 – that’s what I read.
March 16th, 2021 at 8:41 pm
Gronk is worth extra money just because he is Gronk. Sell out season coming up for the owners even in preseason. If AB returns too and with a full training camp, this offense and the defense should be even better. The only bad news is we got to wait 4 or 5 months for the fun to begin.
March 16th, 2021 at 8:44 pm
A necessary signing! So many ways he positively impacts the team. Glad the Bucs were able to bring back the big 4!!
March 16th, 2021 at 9:19 pm
What a sleuth ..lol
March 16th, 2021 at 9:58 pm
@munch is correct. First time ever
March 16th, 2021 at 9:58 pm
We over paid for him, but… F’ it… he’s Gronk
🙂
March 16th, 2021 at 11:52 pm
Gronk makes plays and blocks like a madman.
What does OJ do well? He was good at having potential, but that has worn off….
He needs to figure it out….fast. oh and stay healthy.
In BA I Trust!
March 17th, 2021 at 12:16 am
OJ is not good & has not lived up to top 20 pick and first TE off the board
He is mentally weak bc he plays soft
Who cares how fast u run and what u do at combine
Brate has EATEN his lunch
Regardless of cap issue, I’m just saying
He has accomplished NADA
March 17th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Gronk is worth it obvioulsy hes going to come up in big games and hes a big time player with brady …we need to keep AB and def Succup he is a damn good kicker…if shu tries to break the bank we might need to let him walk which would suck but hopefully its not the case I would keep brate over oj due to injury and probably would lose OJ if needed to keep shu…keep..AB and Succup
March 17th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
I would trade off OJ! He is hurt too often and a bust of a first round pick! Much better off with Gronk and sure handed and dependable Brate! I also love the speed and savy of AB! Get White and watch what Brady can do with them all.
March 19th, 2021 at 10:07 am
Overall the Bucs have the best team in the NFL. It is a real JOY compared to the past disappointments coming up short every year before Brady. The long suffering fans have finally been rewarded in a big way and I so appreciate it! I have been a Bucs Fan from the start and sat in the ole sombrero and watched the Bucs beat a highly favored Philly team in the playoffs. Fortunately at that time the Buc’s Offensive Coordinator was none other than football genius Joe Gibbs and the Bucs won that game. Gibbs came out with a surprise bootlegging out his QB on almost every play and throwing accurately from a different launch point.