The New England Patriots are riding high right now. They're 8-2, leading the AFC East, and just took down a team they have a lot of recent ties to in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Before the game, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is now a part of the FOX on NFL team, was asked which of his previous teams he was pulling for today. Before giving his answer, Gronk said something that Patriots fans are going to love.
"Here's some news. First, everyone, 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. So I'm going with the Patriots!"
Rob Gronkowski announced that THIS WEEK he is signing a one-day contract to retire as a member of the #Patriots!
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) November 9, 2025
Today just keeps getting better!
(🎥 @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/Ytm04FeVUY
Rob Gronkowski surprisingly made Patriots win over Buccaneers even sweeter
In all honesty, no one should really be all too surprised by this, considering the fact that Gronkowski spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career in New England with the Patriots. He was a second-round pick by them in the 2010 NFL Draft and spent nine years with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls during that time.
Gronk retired after the 2018 season due to the injuries he had sustained during his lengthy career, but returned in 2020 to join Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. There, the two won another Super Bowl trophy together, and while it's cute that Bucs fans thought they might have had a chance at claiming Gronk for life, his loyalties will officially lie in New England and with the Patriots.
Beating the Bucs was already fun enough on its own, but now knowing that Gronkowski has officially chosen to retire a Patriot makes this victory even sweeter. What a week for the New England Patriots and here's to hoping things continue on this trajectory for them.