Report: Bills interested in Gronkowski ahead of free agency

The Buffalo Bills have interest in signing longtime rival Rob Gronkowski in free agency, according to The Athletic's Tim Graham.

Buffalo reportedly made a run at Gronkowski - who grew up a Bills fan in Western New York - last year before he re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gronkowski is scheduled to hit the open market for the second consecutive offseason, but he's also considering retirement. The future Hall of Fame tight end retired in 2019 but sat out only one season before returning with the Buccaneers.

Gronkowski tormented Buffalo while starring on the New England Patriots from 2010-18. He's caught 12 career touchdowns against his boyhood team, the most he's had against any club.

Gronkowski, who'll turn 33 in May, posted 802 yards and six touchdowns over 12 outings in 2021. The Bills have Dawson Knox entrenched at tight end but are otherwise thin at the position.

NFL teams may begin contacting pending free agents March 14 and can officially sign players two days later.