It’s no secret that the New England Patriots utilize the tight end position more than most in the NFL.
Maybe a part of that stems from the reality that the team has had the most dominant tight end in the league for the last nine years in Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski was able to do it all for the Patriots, and that kind of production and versatility is frankly irreplaceable.
Gronk’s retirement came as a shock to most people, although it was most damaging and devastating to the New England Patriots franchise, of course.