Report: Lions' 2018 Trade Offer for Rob Gronkowski Revealed After Bucs Deal

The last time Rob Gronkowski's name was floated during trade talks in 2018, the All-Pro tight end said he began considering retirement. On Thursday, as new talks reportedly resulted in the New England Patriots sending Gronkowski to Tampa Bay, he apparently was eager to sign reinstatement papers.

A lot can happen in two years. Especially when quarterback Tom Brady is at the center of things.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Patriots were in discussions to send Gronk to the Detroit Lions when his unwillingness to play anywhere but New England helped nix the deal in 2018. Schefter reported Tuesday that at the time, the Lions were offering the Nos. 20 and 51 overall picks in the draft to receive the tight end and the No. 43 overall pick from New England. 

On Tuesday, Schefter reported the Patriots had reunited Gronk with Brady, sending the Pro Bowler and a seventh-round pick for the Bucs' fourth-rounder. 

Gronkowski currently has one year left on his current contract worth $10 million. 

So why did things change so rapidly in 2020? The three-time Super Bowl champion already explained it when asked in 2018 if he was going to retire rather than play elsewhere.

"Yeah, it happened," Gronkowski said after a September win against Detroit. "Brady's my quarterback, that's all. Wasn't going anywhere without Brady."

As Schefter made clear then, Gronkowski's apprehension had nothing to do with playing for Detroit. He refused to go anywhere if it meant he could no longer play with Brady. The Patriots had been talking to multiple teams at the time but had come closest to a deal with the Lions. It was all for nothing. 

Except, maybe, in the eyes of Brady. Shortly after Gronkowski admitted he considered quitting football amid the trade talks, he expressed his gratitude for his tight end's loyalty. 

"I think that speaks to our relationship and I feel as strongly about him as he does about me. I love the guy," Brady told WEEI's Kirk and Callahan in 2018. "He's had a big impact on my career, personally and professionally. Like I said, I'm very lucky to play with him and we're going to keep fighting."

Now the duo will look to rekindle that chemistry in Tampa Bay. In landing Gronkowski, the Bucs were able to do what no team before could: lure Brady over first.