Former New England tight end Rob Gronkowski is signing a one-day contract with the team on Wednesday, which will officially allow him to retire as a Patriot. 

Gronkowski made the announcement during the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show.

“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.”

During his time in New England, Gronkowski was arguably the best tight end in the NFL during his nine seasons with the Patriots. While playing with the Patriots, Gronk was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection five-time Pro Bowler, and selected as part of the HOF All-2010s team.

In comparison to his peers at the position, Gronkowski is viewed by many as the greatest tight end of all time. The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, will be in his future upon meeting eligibility requirements. Gronkowski ranks third all-time for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 92, and he’s sixth in receiving yards with 9,286. He’s also 10th in catches at the tight end position with 621. 

When Gronkowski’s playing career came to an end in New England, he was the team’s leader in receiving touchdowns with 79. He won three Super Bowls with New England and was one of the driving forces, along with Tom Brady, in those playoff runs during the 2010s. 

All these accolades were achieved despite undergoing multiple back surgeries, the first of which happened while playing football at the University of Arizona. Because of that, Gronkowski fell to the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft due to durability concerns.

After a brief retirement and sitting out the 2019 NFL season, Gronk returned to the league to play two more seasons and win a fourth Super Bowl with Brady in Tampa Bay before finally hanging up his cleats following the 2021 campaign.