Arians: Howard trade talks were ‘outside the building’

There were reports during the offseason of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looking to trade tight end O.J. Howard. Fuel was then added to that fire when the team decided to make a deal for New England Patriots veteran tight end Rob Gronkowski.

However, nothing happened on the Howard front.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians was asked about those trade rumors. Arians responded by saying the conversations he had with the former Alabama product were quite the opposite and added that having Gronkowski and Tom Brady around is helping him get better.

“I think the trade talk was outside the building. I never talked to him about it,” Arians said. “All I talked to him about was getting better and he was going to be here for a while and believe it. I think with Tom [Brady] helping him confidence-wise and watching Gronk work, they’ve been a good combination helping each other – him helping Gronk learn the offense. It’s been great for him. He’s still a young player, and to be around a great player [will] elevate your game.”

Reports of Howard’s unhappiness and Tampa Bay’s asking price being too high seemed to disappear rather quickly a couple months back. Since the team began reporting in late July, all sides appear to be happy and Howard is moving forward in 2020.