Rob Gronkowski Officially Retires from the NFL, Signs One-Day Contract with New England Patriots
Rob Gronkowski has officially announced his retirement from the NFL and will be signing a one-day contract to retire as a “Patriot for life.” Gronkowski revealed on “FOX NFL Sunday” that he plans to ink the one-day contract with the New England Patriots this week, allowing him to retire as a member of the storied franchise where he won three of his four Super Bowl rings.
The announcement came just as the Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—the last team Gronkowski played for alongside Tom Brady and with whom he won Super Bowl LV in 2021—were set to face off. Brady joined the broadcast team for that contest alongside Kevin Burkhardt.
The Patriots officially announced that Gronkowski would sign the one-day contract on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of their “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the New York Jets, their AFC East rivals.
Gronkowski, 36, began his NFL career in 2010 when the Patriots drafted him 42nd overall in the second round out of the University of Arizona. He spent nine seasons in New England, developing one of the best tight end legacies in NFL history. His connection with Tom Brady was a critical factor in the Patriots’ success under head coach Bill Belichick, leading to multiple Super Bowl victories.
Although Gronkowski initially retired following the 2018 season, he returned to the field when Brady left the Patriots for the Buccaneers. He couldn’t resist the chance to play again alongside his favorite quarterback in Tampa Bay. With a star-studded Buccaneers roster, Brady and Gronkowski won their final Super Bowl together in 2021. Gronkowski notably scored two touchdowns at Raymond James Stadium, helping secure a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and claim the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
After retiring following the 2022 season, Gronkowski was soon joined by Brady, who retired in 2023 after the Buccaneers’ playoff exit against the Dallas Cowboys.
Now, as Gronkowski and Brady continue their careers off the field as colleagues on the Fox Sports broadcast team, they’ve been closely watching the Patriots return to their winning ways — reminiscent of their days with the team. Veteran Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is leading the charge in his first season.
The Patriots also have a promising new quarterback in Drake Maye, whom they selected third overall out of the University of North Carolina in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye has been performing like an MVP candidate, helping the team achieve an 8-2 record through their first 10 games. He ranks third in the NFL in passing yards (2,555) and is tied for third in touchdown passes (19). Maye’s impressive 113.9 quarterback rating also places him sixth in the league.
Gronkowski’s official retirement and one-day contract signing mark the end of an era, but the Patriots’ future looks bright as new stars rise to continue the franchise’s tradition of success.
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