Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 29: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots evades a tackle from Adrian Phillips #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Home » Blog » Patriots face new challenge without Rob Gronkowski

Patriots face new challenge without Rob Gronkowski

Matt Verderame NFL

The New England Patriots are great at overcoming personnel losses. This might be their greatest challenge yet.

On Sunday, Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL after nine incredible seasons. He walks away with three Super Bowl rings and a reputation as the most dominant tight end the league has ever seen. It’s well-earned.

However, Gronkowski also walks away from a team that is trying to reach its fourth consecutive Super Bowl, something only ever done by the 1990-93 Buffalo Bills. Without him, it will be that much more difficult.

The Patriots have endured a tough offseason to this point. New England watched as defensive end Trey Flowers and left tackle Trent Brown left for big-money deals in free agency. The Patriots may also lose kicker Stephen Gostkowski and wide receiver Chris Hogan, although both remain on the open market. While the trade to acquire defensive end Michael Bennett somewhat mitigates the loss of Flowers, the reality is that the Patriots have lost significant talent, especially with the announcement by Gronkowski.

Looking at the roster, there are gaping holes on the offensive side of the ball. New England has little on the depth chart at receiver beyond slot extraordinaire Julian Edelman, with Phillip Dorsett as the top outside option. At tight end, the cupboard is completely bare after losing Gronkowski to retirement and Dwayne Allen to a cap casualty.

In April’s draft, head coach Bill Belichick has serious work ahead of him. The Patriots could be targeting tight ends Noah Fans and T.J. Hockenson out of Iowa, even if it means potentially moving up to nab one of them. If Belichick could also be playing the long game, using the extra picks he has in the second and third rounds to bulk up at both spots, even if it means a little bit of quantity over high-end quality.

Regardless of what New England chooses to do, it must be correct. Tom Brady remains one of the best quarterbacks in the game, but Father Time will eventually come calling. With Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck and Baker Mayfield knocking ever-louder on the AFC’s door, the margin for error is slim for the Patriots.

In the end, the loss of Gronkowski is the latest challenge for a team that has long thrived on overcoming them. It’ll be fascinating to see how New England can rise to this one.

  • 100%