Copyright The Boston Globe
Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski announced that he will sign a one-day contract with the franchise this week, officially marking the end of his storied career. “Here’s some news first everyone,” Gronkowski said during an appearance on Fox Sports. “I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week coming up to retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for life just like all of you out here.” The Patriots confirmed the news on Monday morning, announcing that Gronkowski would sign that one-day contract and hold a press conference in Foxborough on Wednesday afternoon at 12:15 p.m. The team also posted a tribute video for their legendary tight end on social media. Gronkowski spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Patriots before following Tom Brady to Tampa Bay for the final two. Advertisement Gronkowski picked the Patriots to beat the Buccaneers on Sunday. The pick was correct. New England prevailed 28-23. “I’m going with the Patriots,” Gronkowski said before the game. “But I know Tom and I know he is still bitter the Patriots let him go for his final three seasons in the NFL, so he’s secretly rooting for the Buccaneers.” Brady denied rooting for either side, though he did mention the statue of him that the Patriots unveiled during the preseason. Along with the statue, the Patriots recently expedited the process for Brady to be inducted into their Hall of Fame. “Hey, I got great friends on both sides,” Brady said. “I’m not saying who I’m rooting for. I’m not really rooting for one or the other, but one team built me a statue, so the ball’s in your court, Tampa. Just saying!” Advertisement Gronkowski is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play. He set the New England record for career receiving touchdowns (79). He is third on the all-time list for receiving touchdowns by a tight-end (92), sixth in receiving yards among tight-ends (9,286), and tenth in caches among tight ends (621). Gronkowski won three of his four Super Bowls with the Patriots. He was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection, and a five-time Pro Bowler. He led the NFL in touchdowns in 2011. Gronkowski has not played in the NFL since the 2022 playoffs. He retired after the 2019 season, but Brady convinced him to join the Buccaneers. He retired again in 2022. He now co-hosts a podcast with Julian Edelman and works for Fox Sports broadcasting NFL games. Khari Thompson can be reached at khari.thompson@globe.com.
