Buccaneers’ Plans to Sign Next Rob Gronkowski Hijacked After Lions Agree to Trade Star TE to Division Rivals

It is no secret that Tom Brady and the Buccaneers are struggling big-time on their offense. With the season nearly at its halfway mark, moves need to be made. While there were heavy reports that the team was trying to replace the instrumental contribution of Rob Gronkowski, Detroit Lions have dashed their hopes by trading former first-round pick TJ Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Buccaneers were reportedly considering a late move for the young TE. Yet the Vikings beat them to it. The lions drafted Hockenson with the 8th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. The trade will see Detroit receive a second-round pick in 2023 and a 2024 third-round pick.

Read more: Rob Gronkowski Returned to Football When Tom Brady Made This Deliberate Move Back in 2020

And in return, the Vikes will get Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, with a conditional fourth-round pick in 2024. While the Lions are in a hard rebuild mode, their divisional rivals, the Purple and Golds, are on their way to a top-of-the-table finish in the NFC North. In a way, the deal helps both teams in their respective paths for the upcoming future.

The Lions stack up on draft picks, and the Vikings will improve their squad depth. Especially after their TE, Irv Smith Jr. was just placed on injured reserve following a high ankle sprain against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Buccaneers miss out on potential Rob Gronkowski replacement

Currently, the Pewter Pirates are in a never-ending battle with the highly underwhelming NFC South. Despite a 3-5 record in 8 Weeks, they are still not beyond the chance of making the playoffs. However, since the retirement of Gronk, their offense does not seem to be the same explosive force it used to be. Brady and the mighty Bucs have fallen a long way from the top. And it is clear the QB needs help, especially in the TE position.

Gronk was an offensive beast. In his two seasons in Tampa Bay, the decorated TE received 1425 yards and 13 TD. His quality always shone through in such moments when his QB needed his help, making special plays to bail his team out; precisely what TB12 is missing this season.

However, his most important and underrated contribution came as a blocker for his QB and RBs, creating big gaps in the DL for the offense to run through. Compared to Gronk, Hockenson is nearly not as polished but showed potential. The 25-year-old TE made it to the Pro Bowl in his second year in the league. And could have unlocked his abilities further under the tutelage of Tom Terrific. But now the child is grown, and the dream is gone.

Watch This Story: Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski had a chemistry unlike any other in the NFL.