After a second straight offseason filled with speculation and rumors about his future, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski decided to pull the plug on his career on Sunday and announced his retirement from the NFL. Coming off a somewhat difficult season but one that ultimately ended with his third Super Bowl title, the 29-year-old now rides off into the sunset and, if all goes the way it should go, the Hall of Fame on first ballot.
For him to really enter the NFL’s hallowed halls in 2024, however, Gronkowski needs to do one thing: stay retired — something that should be expected to happen.