NFL Rumors: Buccaneers Have Not Given Up On Potential Gronkowski Return

Rob Gronkowski has yet to decide on whether to continue playing pro football or not and prefers to enjoy the offseason for now.

Regardless, it appears the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are willing to wait on the decision of the 33-year-old tight end. They are giving him the space he needs, aware that the four-time Super Bowl champion vowed that he would only play for the Bucs if he finally decides to return, NBC Sports reported.

Little is known about what Gronk is up to. However, good buddy Tom Brady did put up some videos of Gronkowski shagging fly balls at the Yankees facility across the street from Raymond James Stadium. The two were likely working out at the time.

Assuming that Gronkowski decides to continue playing, the Bucs need to address the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year’s contract.

In the past two seasons, Gronkowski earned base salaries of $9.25 million and $8 million. Last year, he reached $1 million in incentives.

There is no telling how much money Tampa Bay could offer Gronkowski. But if one is to look at the salaries of other players who play similarly to Gronk, the figures could render a better idea.

San Francisco’s George Kittle averages $15 million a year, and Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, Philadelphia’s Dallas Goedert and Baltimore’s Mark Andrews all average more than $14 million per season.

However, the Bucs may have some issues handling the same amount of money. They only have $12.167 million in cap space left.

Tampa Bay could resort to an old practice, which is to use voidable years to allow them to lower the cap hit for the coming season. Hence, the money they could offer Gronkowski could very well depend on how successful they would be in doing that.

So far, the Buccaneers have Cade Otton, Ko Kieft and Cam Brate. Adding Gronkowski to that mix should provide a big boost to Tampa Bay.