Whispers linking Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski with Raiders growing louder?

Whispers linking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and retired tight end Rob Gronkowski with the Las Vegas Raiders may be growing louder ahead of the new year. 

Yahoo Sports NFL columnist Charles Robinson touched upon the subject Friday, as he wrote that the idea of Brady playing another season and joining the Raiders after he hits free agency in March is not merely "some media creation" caused by Las Vegas benching starter Derek Carr earlier this week. 

"When you reach out across the league and ask people to shape up a Brady pursuit, what you hear is that the Raiders make more sense than anyone else now that Carr is out of the fold," Robinson explained. 

Robinson also mentioned what's become a famous story from this past summer about how Brady and Gronkowski allegedly were close to joining the Raiders following the 2019 season before then-head coach Jon Gruden supposedly "blew the deal up." The future Hall of Famers instead helped the Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LV.

"Gronkowski’s inclusion in that Raiders equation in 2020 becomes more relevant with the simmering speculation that the tight end is mulling a return to the NFL for the 2023 season … potentially to play with Brady again," Robinson pointed out. "Even turning 34 in May, it’s hard to envision a human being more suited to living in Las Vegas than Gronkowski."

Robinson offered his takes after NFL insider Jeff Howe of The Athletic presented reasons for why Brady and Gronkowski could want to spend at least one season together with the Raiders. Both played under head coach Josh McDaniels when he previously served as offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, and both are familiar with Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler due to Ziegler's time spent working as a member of the New England personnel staff. 

The Raiders already possess multiple noteworthy offensive weapons such as All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow. Robinson noted the franchise should "have nearly $62 million in salary-cap space this offseason if it releases or trades Carr." Such funds go could toward acquiring Brady and Gronkowski, holding onto star running back Josh Jacobs, and adding other needed pieces on both sides of the football. 

The Miami Dolphins likely are sticking with Tua Tagovailoa assuming he can stay healthy for longer than a couple of months. Financial issues could sink any plans for a trio of Brady, Gronkowski, and coach Sean Payton coming together to save the New Orleans Saints in 2023. 

All things considered, the Raiders may be a perfect landing spot for a Brady-Gronkowski reunion if all parties are interested within a few days after Super Bowl LVII, if not sooner.