Only Rob Gronkowski could steal the spotlight away from the 2020 NFL draft, as news broke Tuesday afternoon that the New England Patriots had agreed to trade the tight end to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and reunite him with quarterback Tom Brady.
Former and current NFL players took to social media to express their surprise and analyze how Gronkowski will fit in with Bucs coach Bruce Arians and the rest of the offense. And, reaction to the former Patriots teammates joining forces again had several people, from celebrities to comedians, posting funny and inquisitive memes.
"It's unbelievable," ESPN NFL analyst Marcus Spears said of the trade on NFL Live.
Time to run it back @RobGronkowski! pic.twitter.com/d4wmZLUV9n
β @tombrady (@TomBrady) April 22, 2020
β Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) April 21, 2020
Don't call it a comeback, @Chiefs. I am ready! Let's go!!!! πͺ π #ChiefsKingdom #NFL pic.twitter.com/ZVmTl799yt
β Tony Gonzalez (@TonyGonzalez88) April 21, 2020
The face that launched a thousand transactions #TodaysMaleHelen pic.twitter.com/W7i9HUdEtw
β Kyle (@Ky1eLong) April 21, 2020
Sunshine and no state taxes. Been doing it for 20 years. Eventually everyone wants it. Gronk just took the long way to get it
β Booger (@ESPNBooger) April 21, 2020
That part. https://t.co/ZFTbQ66eUe
β Jamal Anderson (@jamthedirtybird) April 21, 2020
β Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 21, 2020
So does this mean that @RobGronkowski hated playing for the @Patriots and Bill Belichick so much that he retired to get away from them??? https://t.co/ZEEn5rHsuu
β Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) April 21, 2020
Hahahaha https://t.co/7mJLRfqfMl
β danny woodhead (@danny__woodhead) April 21, 2020
What does this say about how the Patriots operate? No doubt their way works and they've had the most successful football dynasty but Gronk would rather stay retired then go play there. Do players want to enjoy where they're playing as much as they want to win? Are they humans?!?
β Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) April 21, 2020
NFL defenses realizing they're going to have to cover Mike Evans, Gronk, OJ Howard and Chris Godwin all at once pic.twitter.com/qUi7OY91Mk
β NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) April 21, 2020
If Tom doesn't succeed with all those weapons, would it be fair to say Bill has the upper hand in the debate?
β TJ Lang (@TJLang70) April 21, 2020
π³ what is happening in 2020 https://t.co/A1OtkiKu3g
β Steven Jackson (@sj39) April 21, 2020
Offensive player moves in the NFC South this offseason:
β Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 21, 2020
Bucs: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski
Falcons: Todd Gurley, Hayden Hurst
Panthers: Teddy Bridgewater, Robby Anderson
Saints: Drew Brees (re-signed), Emmanuel Sanders
π₯π₯π₯
One thing I know for sure @RobGronkowski is gonna love @BruceArians
β Calais Campbell (@CalaisCampbell) April 21, 2020
Akt of weapons for Tom and BA calling plays this is going to be interesting
β Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) April 21, 2020
With the addition of Gronkowski, the #Bucs just became the most versatile offense in the NFL & a defensive coordinators nightmare!
β Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) April 21, 2020
Here's why: pic.twitter.com/v12xuiQMIt
#247Champion @RobGronkowski is on the move!!! https://t.co/xDYXdx4y6B
β WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2020
No Brady AND no Gronk? https://t.co/FZV79hQ9Ej pic.twitter.com/5SAqHeAzst
β Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 21, 2020
#Gronk https://t.co/ekzRMSuIip pic.twitter.com/Wzab6kujx2
β Nick Carter (@nickcarter) April 21, 2020