New England Patriots - NESN.com
Rob Gronkowski announced news on Sunday that will delight New England Patriots fans.
The legendary tight end revealed on “Fox NFL Sunday” that he’s signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the New England Patriots this week. Gronkowski, who last played in 2021, will “retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for life.”
Gronkowski shared his plans when host Curt Menefee asked him and Tom Brady to pick a side in a Week 10 matchup between the Patriots and their other former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although the duo won another Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, Gronkowski backed the Pats.
It’s not the first time Gronkowski has shared this intention to sign a one-day contract with New England. He teased the move in August, shortly after the team unveiled Brady’s statue outside of Gillette Stadium.
Gronkowski spent nine of his decorated 11 NFL seasons in New England after getting picked in the second round of the 2010 draft. He holds the franchise record with 79 receiving touchdowns and tallied the second-most receiving yards (7,861) to Stanley Morgan.
The four-time All-Pro won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, registering 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 playoff games. Third in career touchdowns among all tight ends, Gronkowski should be a lock for Hall-of-Fame enshrinement down the road.
He’ll first sign with the Patriots, but not to make Brady jealous by teaming with Drake Maye. The 36-year-old will ceremonially retire as a member of his original team more than six years after ending his New England tenure with a Super Bowl LIII win over the Los Angeles Rams.
