Report: Bucs' Rob Gronkowski Not a 'High-Priority' Threat for Opposing Defenses

Rob Gronkowski is 31 years old and didn't play a down in the NFL last season.

Opposing defenses apparently aren't as worried about him as they once were now that he has joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following his hiatus.

"In terms of concern for him being a threat—from what I can gather in my conversations—it's not a high priority," ESPN's Dianna Russini said on Thursday's Get Up (h/t Ryan Hannable of WEEI). "They know that he's vertical, he's long. He's going to run those seams."

Gronkowski played nine seasons with the New England Patriots and won three Super Bowls while being selected to four All-Pro first teams and five Pro Bowls.

He and Tom Brady formed arguably the best tight end-quarterback duo in league history, taking advantage of mismatches when safeties were too small to defend the 6'6" Gronkowski and linebackers were not quick enough to keep up downfield.

Brady is a six-time champion and three-time NFL MVP but is also 42 years old and coming off a 2019 campaign that saw him struggle at times.

His 24 touchdown passes were his fewest for a full season since 2006, and the New England defense carried the team for the entire year. Russini noted opposing defenses feel they may have a blueprint on the future Hall of Famer.

"It's all about hitting him," Russini said. "It's all about getting him on the ground. He is not as dynamic in the pocket anymore. In terms of them as a duo, yes, they are still going to be a threat. But this is not the Tom Brady, the Rob Gronkowski we've seen in years past, according to defensive coordinators I've talked to."

The Buccaneers haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and will have to deal with a daunting New Orleans Saints team that features Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara in the NFC South.

Tampa Bay surely hopes Brady and Gronkowski play like they did in their primes and not how opposing defenses apparently expect them to in 2020.