A Patriots legend says he is coming back to close out his career where it began.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski hasn’t played in the NFL since January of 2022 — or for New England since Super Bowl LIII in February of 2019 — but according to a social media post Wednesday, he will sign with the Patriots for a day.
“Gronk will sign a one day contract and retire a New England Patriot,” the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast hosted by Gronkowski and Pats teammate Julian Edelman wrote in a caption on Instagram.
The podcast clip in the post does not address the plans — Gronkowski discusses mother’s memory of him being drafted in 2010 — but an banner at the start of the video reads “BREAKING: GRONK WILL RETIRE A NEW ENGLAND PATRIOT.”
One of history’s greatest tight ends, Gronkowski retired months over the Patriots’ Super Bowl victory in 2019 after nine outstanding years in New England. He missed significant time in 2013 and 2016, and injuries had taken their toll.
A year later, when quarterback Tom Brady left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gronk came out of retirement and followed him to Florida, where he played two more seasons.
Gronkowski was in Boston a day earlier, alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft, to open the new Gronk Playground on the Charles River Esplanade.
“Wow, I can’t believe we’re finally here after five years of a long, hard process,” he said, overcome with emotion and tears filling his eyes as he addressed the crowd following a standing ovation.
The Patriots have not officially announced a one-day contract for Gronkowski, who has not given any further details.