Rob Gronkowski puts ball in Patriots court on New England Retirement

Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski has revealed he would consider retiring as a Patriot if New England offered. 

Rob Gronkowski has no plans to return to the NFL field; however, the retired tight end admitted that he would be open to signing a one-day contract to retire with the New England Patriots.

Gronkowski, when asked about possibly retiring as a Patriots, said that he would retire a Patriot (subscription required) if it was, “offered and presented.” He said that he has nothing but love for team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick and the franchise.

The question comes after Patriots owner Robert Kraft openly expressed his desire to have former New England quarterback Tom Brady, who recently announced his retirement, sign a one-day contract and retire as a Patriot. However, Kraft never discussed the possibility of Rob Gronkowski retiring as a Patriot. Gronkowski has often addressed the difficulty of playing for New England, but on the other hand, he has often expressed his love and appreciation for the team.

New England drafted Gronkowski with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft.

Gronkowski initially retired after the 2018 season. In March 2019, he announced his retirement, citing that pain and injuries suffered during his career had affected his mental health.

After being retired for just one season, in April 2020, the Patriots, who still held Gronkowski’s rights, traded him to the Tampa Bay Buccanneers along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a compensatory fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Gronk and former Patriots quarterback and teammate Tom Brady were reunited.

Rob Gronkowski Became an All-Time Great

In his two years in Tampa Bay, Gronkowski had scored 16 overall touchdowns, 13 in the regular season and three in the postseason. He also had a combined 1,651 regular season and postseason receiving yards as a Buccaneer. He also aided the Buccaneers in winning Super Bowl LV.

During his nine years with the Patriots, Gronkowski had a combined 9,250 receiving yards during regular seasons and postseasons. He also had 91 touchdowns during the regular seasons and the postseasons. He also won three Super Bowls in nine seasons.

Gronkowski retired for the second time after the 2021 season in June 2022.

During his 11-year career, Rob Gronkowski made a name for himself and cemented himself as an all-time great Patriot and one of the greatest tight ends ever to play football. He is a four-time Super Bowl Champion, four-time First-team All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection, and NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2014). He is a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time, New England Patriots All-2010s, and New England Patriots All-Dynasty teams.