The Facts: HC Bruce Arians on Thursday said Tom Brady was the one who lured Gronkowski out of retirement and was adamant that the team trade for him, despite having tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate on the roster. "It was really Tom," Arians said on Thursday. "Tom brought it up to me, and I didn't even think it was a possibility that [Gronkowski] wanted to come back. And [Brady] was adamant about, yeah, he really wants to play; he'd love to play with us. So [general manager] Jason Licht got the ball rolling with the Patriots, the conversation was there, and he's working out, he's in great shape and he's raring to go. So we're really looking forward to getting on the practice field."

Diehards Line: Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season, citing chronic pain due to injuries from nine years in the NFL. But he said he has fully healed and that his passion for the game has been reignited. Gronkowski has remained in good shape. He carries slightly less bulk from his days with the Patriots, dropping from a playing weight of 262-265 pounds to 250 pounds, which he said has helped his joints. Gronkowski met up with Brady earlier this offseason for a workout, two months prior to joining the Bucs. It was then that he indicated his level of interest in returning and rejoining Brady. Gronkowski still had one season remaining on his contract with the Patriots, which is why the Bucs had to trade a fourth-round draft pick for him. The Bucs also received a seventh-round pick in exchange.