Jan 13, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) warms up prior to the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are set to welcome back one of their all-time greats as legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski is signing another contract with the team, but just for a single day.

Gronkowski, widely regarded as one of the most dominant and influential tight ends the sport has ever seen, is signing a one-day contract with the New England Patriots so he can officially retire as a member of the franchise where he became a star.

The future Hall of Famer shared the announcement himself on Fox over the weekend.

“Here’s some news for everyone,” Gronkowski said on Fox on Sunday. “I am signing a one-day contract with the Patriots this week, coming up, to retire as a Patriot and be a Patriot for life.”

Never one to shy away from some friendly banter, Gronk couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at his longtime teammate Tom Brady.

“But I know Tom, and he is still bitter the Patriots let him go for his final three seasons in the NFL, so he’s secretly rooting for the Buccaneers,” Gronkowski said.

Brady, of course, spent those last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before ultimately retiring as a member of that team, not New England.

Though Gronkowski last suited up in Tampa Bay during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he’s chosen to officially close his career with the team that defined it.

During his tenure in Foxborough, Gronkowski earned four first-team All-Pro selections, captured three Super Bowl titles, and solidified his place among the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

Needless to say, this news led to a lot of reactions on social media.

“Can we get a statue too?” one fan wrote on X.

“I guess retiring as a Buccaneer wasn’t good enough for him. No longer a fan!!” someone else wrote.

“Gronk is a real Patriot,” another person added.

“Let’s go! Gronk knows,” someone else replied.

“Mic drop,” another fan wrote.

Clearly, New England is happy to have him back – even if it’s just for one day.