3. Buccaneers Trade for Rob Gronkowski

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had very underwhelming and inconsistent tight end production since Kellen Winslow’s last season there in 2011. They have been searching for a player that could produce on the same level for almost a decade. Between Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Cameron Brate, they have tried and failed.

Prior to acquiring Rob Gronkowski, the Buccaneers’ most recent attempt at finding a long-term solution at the tight end spot came in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the selection of O.J Howard. He has battled multiple injuries and while when healthy, he has only shown flashes of greatness, he has mostly been a disappointment.

The Buccaneers were able to trade for Gronkowski by only giving up a 2020 fourth-round pick. There are questions about how productive Gronkowski can be after missing the entirety of the previous season while retired and his long history of injuries. If it pans out, he could be the tight end they sought for over a decade.

It’s clear, the Buccaneers are fully in win-now mode to win a Super Bowl before Tom Brady retires. It’s necessary to take risks and get creative to get the job done. Brady’s decision to convince Gronkowski of un-retiring and for Tampa Bay to pull off a trade with the New England Patriots certainly qualified as that.