Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images John David Mercer-Imagn Images

How to Watch Patriots' Rob Gronkowski’s Contract Signing

Originally posted on New England Patriots on SI
By Jennifer Streeter | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 2:46 PM ET

New England Patriots fans everywhere can rejoice and mark their calendars for Nov. 12.

On FOX NFL Sunday legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski announced that he will be signing a one-day contract with his former team this week in order to retire with the team that originally drafted him (No. 42 overall). The announcement was made in the midst of the Patriots eventually taking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — the other team Gronk won a Super Bowl with — in a 28-23 road win for New England.

In nine seasons with the Pats, Gronkowski played in 115 games and was on three teams that eventually won Super Bowl championships. His 17 touchdowns in 2011 still remain a league record for receiving scores by a tight end, and his 79 career touchdowns still puts him on top of the Patriots' franchise record books.

What to Know About the Rob Gronkowski Signing

Gronkowski will be signing his one-day contract on Nov. 12 at 12:15 p.m. EST, which will be available for streaming live on Patriots.com and on social media.

The greatest tight end in @NFL history is retiring a Patriot!

Watch @RobGronkowski sign his one-day contract this Wednesday at 12:15 PM LIVE on Patriots digital & social. pic.twitter.com/fXOwNHDtFq
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 10, 2025

"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, just like all of you out here," Gronkowski said on the broadcast while gesturing to a large group of military veterans in the crowd. "So I'm going with the Patriots, but I know Tom [Brady] 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."

Gronk also set the Patriots' franchise record for receiving yards in a season by a tight end with 1,327 yards in 2011. He concluded his league playing career in 2021 with a final career total of 9,286 receiving yards alongside 92 total touchdowns.

The TE and future Patriots Hall of Famer was traded to Tampa Bay ahead of the 2020 season and won Super Bowl LV with quarterback Tom Brady also on the Buccaneers' roster.

Gronkowski previously said at the unveiling of the Gronk Playground in Boston that he'd love to sign a contract with New England for his retirement tradition. Defensive lineman Lawrence Guy also recently participated in the one-day contract rendition.

Following their win over Tampa Bay, the Patriots have improved to a 8-2 overall record and currently sit atop the AFC East. New England is also tied with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos for best overall league record.

This article first appeared on New England Patriots on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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