FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- It's a new era in New England. For the first time since 2009, the Patriots reported for training camp Wednesday without retired tight end Rob Gronkowski, and how things come together without him is a top storyline.
"We don't know. We'll see," acknowledged veteran Devin McCourty, a longtime Patriots captain who entered the NFL alongside Gronkowski in the 2010 draft. "I think that's the thing in football -- the one thing that's consistent is change. He looks like he's having an awesome time on Instagram. I'm really happy for him being able to have a great career and leave the game on your own terms.