With Benjamin Watson opening up the year on the suspended list for a failed drug test back in March – and Austin Seferian-Jenkins released by the team on the first day of mandatory minicamp – the New England Patriots find themselves as thin at tight end as they’ve been in years.
Of course, it’s all a domino effect from superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski announcing his retirement from the NFL three months ago. The Pats had been cautiously optimistic that Gronk would return for at least one more season, so they must have been as surprised as the rest of us when he posted a heartfelt message on social media thanking the organization, his coaches, his teammates, and his fans… and calling it a career.