Rob Gronkowski Retires as a Patriot

Rob Gronkowski has officially announced his retirement from the NFL and will be signing a one-day contract to become a “Patriot for Life.” He shared this on “FOX NFL Sunday,” revealing that he signed the contract this week with the New England Patriots, the team where he won three out of his four Super Bowl rings.

This comes just as the Patriots are gearing up to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom Gronkowski last played alongside Tom Brady when they won Super Bowl LV in 2021. Brady will be participating in that match, joining announcer Kevin Burkhardt.

The Patriots announced that Gronkowski will finalize his contract on Wednesday afternoon before the team’s game against the New York Jets.

At 36, Gronkowski kicked off his NFL journey in 2010 after being picked by the Patriots in the second round, 42nd overall, from Arizona State. Over his nine seasons with the team, he formed a close connection with Brady under coach Bill Belichick, playing a crucial role in their Super Bowl victories and establishing himself as one of the greatest tight ends in football history.

Interestingly, Gronkowski had initially intended to retire after the 2018 season. However, when Brady moved to the Buccaneers, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to reunite with his favorite quarterback in Florida.

With an impressive Buccaneers lineup, Gronkowski and Brady managed to clinch their last championship together, scoring twice in a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium.

After stepping away from the game following the 2022 season, Gronkowski saw Brady transitioning to a new role in 2023 after a playoff defeat against the Dallas Cowboys.

Currently, both Gronkowski and Brady are part of the Fox Sports network. The Patriots, meanwhile, appear to be finding their rhythm again under new head coach Mike Vrabel.

In an exciting twist, the franchise’s new quarterback, Drake Maye—picked third overall in 2024 out of UNC—is playing impressively, showcasing potential MVP-worthy talent. His statistics are eye-catching, ranking high in both yards and touchdown passes, and his quarterback rating is impressive as well.

While the future looks promising for New England, Gronkowski’s departure marks the end of an era for one of its legendary players.