Broncos should continue dream offseason by signing Rob Gronkowski

Three weeks ago, it would have sounded like a crazy idea.

But after the Denver Broncos landed Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade, why should anything be off limits?

GM George Paton has proven this offseason he’s more of a gambler than we thought. The man running the Broncos is willing to take risks, like trading a plethora of picks and players for Wilson and signing the talented but previously troubled Randy Gregory. So why not shock the NFL world one more time?

Denver needs a playmaking tight end after shipping out Noah Fant as part of the Wilson deal. And the Broncos should continue their dream offseason by luring four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski to town.

When you hear folks discuss the remaining needs for Denver, the common theme seems to be on defense. Even after inking K’Waun Williams they need another cornerback, people say. Linebacker, specifically in the middle, is thought to be a major issue. A lot of fans still see the need for another safety next to Justin Simmons.

And while all those concerns are valid and assuredly on Paton’s radar, it’s odd not to hear tight end discussed as more of a pressing need. Gronk would fix that issue, and then some, instantly.

It’s largely assumed that Albert Okwuegbunam will be Denver’s No. 1 tight end when the 2022 season kicks off in September. Okwuegbunam has potential, but he hasn’t done nearly enough in his career thus far to prove he’s worthy of that role. In 18 career games “Albert O,” as he’s known to so many, has 44 catches for 451 yards and just three touchdowns.

Yes, those numbers aren’t eye-popping in large part due to the fact he was the No. 2 option behind Fant, but Okwuegbunam wasn’t a first-round pick, either. In fact, a big reason the Broncos selected Okwuegbunam in the fourth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft was because of his chemistry with Drew Lock while the two were teammates at Missouri. Well, Lock is now gone, and with Denver entering an immediate Super Bowl window a more seasoned veteran like Gronkowski would fill the need perfectly.

Gronk is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and his resume speaks for itself. Not only does he have the previously mentioned four Lombardi trophies, but he’s a four-time First-Team All Pro, five-time Pro Bowler and surefire future Hall of Famer. Gronk has more than 620 receptions, 9000-plus yards and 92 touchdowns in his career.

There’s a narrative out there that Wilson doesn’t use his tight ends very much, but that’s largely because his options have been severely limited. Over the years his No. 1 tight ends have included the likes of Zach Miller, Luke Willson, Jacob Hollister, Will Dissly and Gerald Everett. Fine football players, but not exactly household names.

When Wilson did have a tight end the average fan knows about, he thrived. In 2016, Jimmy Graham was the Seahawks’ second leading receiver with 65 catches, 923 yards and six touchdowns. In other words, when a reliable receiving tight end was available, Wilson used him.

Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy are all bursting with potential, but none are seasoned veterans. Providing Wilson with a security blanket like Gronkowski would make him that much more comfortable and make the job of opposing defenses that much tougher.

Gronk is currently a free agent, and it’s unclear if he’s fully committed to playing in 2022, but anyone who’s watched him the last two seasons knows there’s still plenty of gas left in that tank. And while luring him away from his good buddy Tom Brady and the Buccaneers might prove tough, would you put anything past Paton at this point? Especially with Wilson helping in the recruiting process?

Gronkowski no doubt has left a phenomenal legacy in the NFL, but it’s all been tied to Brady. Giving him the opportunity to come to Denver and show it wasn’t always just Touchdown Tom would be enticing. And a fifth Super Bowl ring with a third team would cement his status as the greatest tight end ever.

Make the call, George. Gronk is the missing piece to complete an already sensational offseason.
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