The return of the GOAT. Rob Gronkowski has come back to the NFL. But what can we expect from his resurrection? Can we still see the greatest QB TE tandem pick up where they left off?

Brady seemed to have shown signs of regression for the first time in his career this past year. For once he wasn’t able to convert a rag tag group of receivers into a championship level offense. Typicaly with age you need more help to produce, and help was certainly lacking in New England, losing Gronkowski, Josh Gordon, and Antonio Brown all before the season could really get underway.

But let’s look at what TB will have available for him now.

Mike Evans, an elite big receiver who has consistently stayed at the top of the league rankings since leaving Texas A&M.

Chris Godwin, one of the fastest recievers in the NFL and someone who knows how to get yards after a catch. A great compliment to Evans.

New Coach Bruce Arians, who seems to have recoined the phrase “Chicks dig the long ball.” Arians will open it up and is a QB whisperer, and surely will use Brady to the best of his abilities.

And now Rob Gronkowski. The greatest Tight End there is, was, and probably ever will be. But how well will he be able to return? He’s had more than his fair share of injuries over his career. And looks as if hes lost about 60 pounds since retiring. I wouldn’t expect him to gain it all back.

Arians and Gronkowski have both mentioned his comeback may not be what we’ve been used to seeing. Expect Gronk to put some weight back but no where near back to full weight. The Bucs already have a great blocking TE in OJ Howard, they don’t need Gronk for that. They need Gronk to be a playmaker. And a new lightweight Gronk, more focused on scoring touchdowns instead of making the big blocks…could be terrifying.

The Super Bowl is in Tampa. If the Bucs plan holds out, we very well could be seeing a team raise the Lombardi Trophy in their own stadium.