Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski opted to pursue another Super Bowl title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers instead of joining his hometown Bills, signing a one-year deal to continue being Tom Brady's right-hand man.
Gronkowski admitted during a Monday press conference that he considered the Bills and a few other teams in free agency, according to The Boston Globe's Ben Volin.
Gronk on how close he was to signing with the Bills: "There was a little extent to that ... There were a couple other teams also. But just overall I wanted to be back with the Buccaneers organization. ... I knew I wanted to come back." pic.twitter.com/7SVM0t2Sf7
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 22, 2021
Gronkowski proved he still has some gas left in the tank after a solid 2020 season in his first year out of retirement. The 31-year-old caught 45 passes for 623 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season while adding two scores in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said earlier this offseason that he wanted to improve Buffalo's tight end position. Dawson Knox hasn't been nearly as good as the Bills want him to be and the team lacks depth at the position.
Buffalo signed former Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister to a one-year deal last week, but he's no Gronkowski.
The New England Patriots, Buffalo's AFC East rival, landed the top two tight ends in free agency in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, leaving the Bills with few options heading into the 2021 campaign.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!