Did Rob Gronkowski exploit Patriots' salary cap to force reunion with Brady at Buccaneers?

New England Patriots' decision to let Rob Gronkowski leave for Tampa Bay Buccaneers left most Patriots fans scratching ir hes. three-time Super Bowl winner opted to come out of retirement ahe of 2020 season. However, inste of playing for Patriots, tight end will w reunite with Tom Bry in Tampa Bay. latest report indicates Patriots did t have a whole lot of choice in Rob Gronkowski tred development.

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Rob Gronkowski tred: Did Patriots salary cap force Bry-Gronkowski reunion?

Rob Gronkowski signed a six-year contract extension worth a reported $54 million with Patriots in 2012. However, due to his retirement after 2018 season, Patriots h rights for Gronkowski should he decide to come out of retirement at any time. However, decision would mean Patriots would be forced to take a massive hit in salary cap ahe of 2020 NFL Draft. Per reports, Patriots salary cap stood at a mere $1 million which me it difficult for m to keep Gronkowski on ir books.

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Patriots salary cap: Rob Gronkowski retirement u-turn and Bucs move

For a star returning after a one-year hiatus, taking a $10 million cap hit reportedly proved too risky for Patriots. Bill Belichick and co, refore, were left with choice but to let Gronkowski reunite with Tom Bry at Tampa Bay. Patriots received only a fourth-round draft pick in exchange for Gronkowski and a seventh-round draft pick, which suggests Buccaneers did well to capitalise on situation to sign tight end for 2020 season. 

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Meanwhile, Buccaneers h to take $10 million hit in cap in order to sign Rob Gronkowski. Bucs reportedly entered 2020 offseason with around $80 million in cap . However, acquiring Tom Bry, Rob Gronkowski and or players means that Bucs will be left with just around $5 million in cap ahe of 2020 NFL Draft.

Rob Gronkowski will reportedly earn as much as $10 million while playing for Buccaneers in 2020 season. 30-year-old will make $9 million guaranteed and an ditional $1 million through workout bonuses.  returning Gronkowski will w be fourth-highest earning tight end in NFL behind likes of Eagles’ Zach Ertz, Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Chargers' Hunter Henry.

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