Rob Gronkowski, the legendary tight end, will come out of retirement briefly to sign a one-day contract with the New England Patriots. This move allows him to officially retire as a member of the franchise where he won three of his four Super Bowls and built his Hall of Fame-worthy legacy. The Patriots announced that Gronkowski will sign the contract at 12:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday. “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,” Gronkowski said.
Gronkowski Retires, Returns to NFL, Reunites with Brady for Final Super Bowl
This marks Gronkowski’s second retirement involving the Patriots. He initially retired in March 2019 after a nine-year career with New England, citing injuries and the mental toll of professional football as reasons for stepping away at age 29. During his time with the Patriots, he earned four first-team All-Pro selections and became one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history.
Rob Gronkowski (NFL)Just over a year after retiring, Gronkowski returned to the NFL by joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to reunite with former quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots still held his rights and facilitated a trade to Tampa Bay. Gronkowski played two seasons in Florida, maintaining his reputation as a premier receiving tight end and helping Brady make one final Super Bowl run.
Gronkowski Retires as a Patriot, Cementing Legendary Legacy and Hall of Fame Eligibility
It is fitting that Gronkowski retires as a Patriot, as he established the bulk of his legacy there. Selected in the second round of the NFL Draft, he achieved extraordinary success with the team, including three Super Bowl championships, five Pro Bowl appearances, and the 2011 receiving touchdowns title. He also earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and set numerous team and league records, becoming the first tight end to lead the league in receiving touchdowns and reach 1,000 postseason receiving yards.
Looking ahead, Gronkowski is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027 and could join the Patriots Hall of Fame as early as 2026. His one-day contract retirement underscores his deep connection to New England and cements his place among the franchise’s all-time greats.
