Fans React to Patriots Trading Rob Gronkowski to Tampa Bay

Rob Gronkowski is reuniting with Tom Brady in Florida.

Former NFL player Rob Gronkowski
Getty

Image via Getty/Maddie Meyer

Former NFL player Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski is returning to the NFL

On Tuesday, Adam Schefter broke the news that the Buccaneers have acquired Gronk and a 7th rounder from the Patriots, in exchange for a fourth-round pick. The trade will be officially completed if and when Gronk passes his physical.

Trade, pending physical: Patriots are trading TE Rob Gronkowski and a seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick, source tells ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2020

Here's what the newly unretired tight end had to say about his surprise return to the NFL, according to Jay Glazer.

As only @RobGronkowski can do just got voice message from him with simply and Gronkly said, “I’m baaaaaackkkkkk!” He’s stoked. All moved very quickly @NFLonFOX

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 21, 2020

This would have been seismic news no matter what, but given the current state of things, the sports world erupted after the story broke. 

Feels like we’re a few hours away from hearing that Bill Belichick has traded himself and a 2nd round pick to Tampa Bay for a 4th round pick

— ᴍᴀᴛᴛ ᴊᴀᴍᴇs (@_Matt_James_) April 21, 2020

The 4th rounder will catch more passes than Gronk this year.

— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) April 21, 2020

Tompa Bay Patrioneers

— Tim Baysinger (@tim_bays) April 21, 2020

Julian Edelman showing up to training camp pic.twitter.com/ja5kcjeU80

— The Ringer (@ringer) April 21, 2020

I would like to thank the Patriots and Bucs for letting me feel like sports is real again.

— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) April 21, 2020

Gronk reuniting with Brady — wherever Brady ended — always felt like a real scenario behind the scenes. I can’t understate the appreciation, on and off the field, they have for each other. Gronk was done with the Patriots… but he never wanted to be done catching TDs from Brady.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) April 21, 2020

While general narrative surrounding Gronk’s retirement centered on physical fatigue, the truth was… mental fatigue played perhaps a more significant part. That’s not a knock on Pats. Just reality. So Gronk in Tampa… unhinged & healthy? Yeah, “fun” is a word that comes to mind.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) April 21, 2020

Can Gronk spike the ball and the pirate ship cannons go off
Can Gronk spike the ball on the pirate ship
Can Gronk spike the pirate ship

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 21, 2020

NFL secondary’s this season against Brady , Gronk, Evans , Godwin https://t.co/FbWr8uSpdP

— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) April 21, 2020

Tom Brady
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Rob Gronkowski
OJ Howard
Cameron Brate
Ronald Jones

Unreal. The roster isn't set, but Bruce Arians is gonna have a lot of fun designing this Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. Evans and Godwin? Gronk as a third option? Brady will post absurd numbers.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 21, 2020

Gronk to Tampa to rejoin Brady is so awesome. This is why the NFL is the bomb. Also wondering how many folks are loving this and if they would feel the same way if Brady and Gronk were reuniting in New England.🤔

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 21, 2020

NFL fans were also blown away by the dramatic turn of events. Some rejoiced at watching the second key member of the Patriots dynasty migrate to Florida, while others celebrated the prospect of watching one of the NFL's most dynamic duos chase another Super Bowl. 

Tom Brady & GRONK in #Bucs jerseys playing for Bruce Arians in 2020....
pic.twitter.com/W0Yhs6WF6f

— 𝗭𝗮𝗰 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗻𝗲𝗿🎙 (@ZacOnTheMic) April 21, 2020

Of course Gronk was traded at 4:20. pic.twitter.com/XFoAN6mnfz

— Andersen Pickard (@AndersenPickard) April 21, 2020

Rob Gronkowski really just came out of retirement to get traded to the Buccaneers to play with Tom Brady.

2020 is wild

— Patriots Militia (@PatsMilitia) April 21, 2020

Brady, Gronk, Evans, and Godwin?? Wow things are looking up in Tampa. #Buccaneers

— Tyler Bratton, M.S. (@MrCoachTbratt) April 21, 2020

Julian Edelman watching Gronk and Brady team back up together pic.twitter.com/JyKZwEVfLy

— BROWNSAREGETTINGANEWLOGO!!!!!!!!!! (@camfromthe216) April 21, 2020

How the 🐐 @TomBrady is walking around today. #gronk pic.twitter.com/TQph15Z3Kx

— Abdimalik (@AbdimalikHa) April 21, 2020

Gronk following Tom Brady to Tampa Bay 😭 pic.twitter.com/dJRuUK0OOC

— Panthers Legacy (@PanthersLegacy) April 21, 2020

Let’s be real, @RobGronkowski has always been a #FloridaMan at heart. Welcome to Tampa! pic.twitter.com/JsXZ4Kx89R

— The Untitled Florida Men Project (@TheFloridaMen) April 21, 2020

I’m not even hating on Gronk being reunited with TB in TB. I love that the @Buccaneers are pushing all their chips to the center of the table. #allin pic.twitter.com/5m1Fyrwhly

— Ty Wooley (@TyWooley) April 21, 2020

Tom Brady to Gronk after tasting freedom for the first time in his career pic.twitter.com/xgKPxLkX0V

— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) April 21, 2020
Congratulations to @RobGronkowski, the current WWE 24/7 Champion, on his return to football.

Per the rules of the 24/7 Title, Gronk must defend his championship at all times in any location. He could be celebrating a touchdown pass from @TomBrady... anytime, anywhere.

The WWE also released a statement on Gronk's move.

Latest in Sports