Bedard: What you need to know when it comes to trading Rob Gronkowski

Regardless of whether or not PFT Commenter's dog is the newest NFL insider or he's just bored during the quarantine, the same question keeps coming up from time to time, so we might as well answer it now: What are the mechanics and possible compensation if the Patriots traded retired tight end Rob Gronkowski?

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Been through this before with Brett Favre being traded from the Packers to the Jets. Green Bay even included a poison pill in the deal so the Jets couldn't just flip Favre to the Vikings, his preferred destination with the West Coast Offense and opportunity twice a year to shove it in the face of Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy.

Here are the mechanics and what you need to know about trading Gronkowski to any team. And, no, it's not a surprise rumors like these pop up every three months about the future Hall of Fame tight end — it was predictable the moment he announced his retirement (people are still talking about Calvin Johnson coming back eight times a year, especially to the Patriots).

First of all, the Patriots could just release Gronkowski. Favre requested that of the Packers and it was denied. The Jets did release Favre (it was probably a condition for his agreeing to the trade) after his second retirement to clear the way for his signing in Minnesota. Of course, the chances of Bill Belichick doing this are about the same as him agreeing to open up in an Oprah Winfrey special.

The biggest piece in all this is Gronkowski's intention. Could the Patriots just trade his rights to any team? Sure. But they wouldn't receive anything more than a late-round pick for those rights because Gronk wouldn't return to play for just any team. He would just stay retired.

Let's just say for the point of discussion that Gronk wanted to be reunited with Tom Brady in Tampa where they could play in a fun work environment and film a reality show that features Gronk living with the Bradys in St. Jetersburg. This would give the Patriots leverage in a deal and would result in higher compensation.

Remember, the Packers only received a conditional fourth-round pick with escalators for Favre, who was coming off an MVP-caliber 2007 season.

Somewhere in that area would make for a Gronkowski trade with only one year left on his contract — considering all the fun and games with Brady could be over after one season with a serious injury or even the QB waking up one day and realizing he "sucks."

Let's say Gronkowski wants to force the issue with the Patriots.

All he has to do is send a letter to the commissioner stating that he intends to unretire. Roger Goodell would take a few days to formally approve it, and the Patriots would have a roster exemption for a few days to figure out what to do.

No matter what happens, the Patriots wouldn't incur another cap hit — they already had a $2 million dead cap charge for the tight end's retirement.

But at some point, the Patriots and their $1 million in cap space right now would have to deal with Gronkowski's $8-million salary hitting the cap. Since they don't have any tight ends, they could create the cap room needed and tell Gronk he's playing for them. Of course, Gronk could just screw with the Patriots — unretire, force them to make cap moves, and then retire again if they don't grant his trade or release.

It would make sense for everyone involved to just trade Gronkowski and get it over with.

What about the Bucs?

I don't understand why they would do it. First of all, they already have Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard, nevermind three other tights on the roster and they could draft one. Plus, Bruce Arians' offense barely uses a tight end.

It doesn't make much sense to me, but I don't think the compensation — unless the Bucs just wanted to please Brady and overpaid like drunken pirates — could be more than a third-round pick. If Favre got a fourth-rounder as a QB, I don't see the Patriots getting much more for Gronk. Some conditional mid-round pick would make sense. If the Patriots really wanted to press the issue, they could ask for Howard in return, which would be moronic for the Bucs.

I don't really see Gronk or the Bucs being all that hot on this. If I'm Gronk, I'm keeping the HOF clock running and go get that gold jacket in 2025.

But stranger things have happened.

If there are any more questions on this topic, leave them in the comments. We'll have our usual full Q&A tomorrow.