Rob Gronkowski reportedly drawing interest from rival AFC team

It won’t be Tom Brady, but one AFC rival may be giving Rob Gronkowski the chance to catch passes from another pretty darn good quarterback.

Tim Graham of The Athletic reported Wednesday that the Buffalo Bills are interested in signing the veteran tight end as another weapon for Josh Allen. Graham adds that the Bills spoke with Gronkowski, a native of Amherst, N.Y., last spring before he re-signed with Tampa Bay on a one-year deal.

After the retirement of Brady, Gronkowski’s close friend and his only full-time quarterback in the NFL, Gronkowski recently suggested that his own future remains uncertain. At 32 years old though, the five-time Pro Bowler still has plenty of game, having gone for 806 yards and six touchdowns in just 12 games last season.

Current Bills tight end Dawson Knox had a breakout year of his own in 2021, recording 587 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Graham notes though that Buffalo envisions Gronkowski as a partner for Knox rather than as a replacement. Of course, Gronkowski has given some indications that he might want to play with a different young quarterback instead.

Photo: Nov 15, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports