FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The importance of every play is magnified in the NFL playoffs, because one mistake could end a team's season. There is an added layer to that dynamic this year for the New England Patriots: It could also mean the end of tight end Rob Gronkowski's career.
If so, it's been a fun ride.
Gronkowski, 29, had surprised some after Super Bowl LII when he said immediately after a heartbreaking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that he would consider his football future. He ultimately returned, obviously, but hasn't been the dominating player he was for stretches of his nine-year career.