FOXBOROUGH – Rob Gronkowski returned to Gillette Stadium on Wednesday to sign a 1-day ceremonial contract with the Patriots to retire with the organization.
It was a special moment for the otherworldly tight end. The man known as Gronk also noted that this was his third trip to Foxborough in the last three weeks. Last month, the FOX broadcaster came to Gillette Stadium to meet with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Gronkowski explained why his meeting with Maye left him impressed with the young quarterback.
“I did a sit-down interview with Drake Maye, which was special,” Gronkowski said. “And what I really loved about him is his IQ and his intelligence for the game of football. When we were just talking football, and I was asking him questions and the way he respected the guys that were before him too. Obviously, you’re coming after Tom Brady; you’re always going to be compared to Tom Brady.
“But the way he answered the questions showed his respect, but also knew that it’s his time and that he’s got to do what he’s got to do. You appreciate that type of answer, you appreciate that type of honesty and humbleness as well.”
During the interview, Maye told Gronk that he’s tried to be himself since being drafted by the Patriots with the No. 3 overall pick in 2024. He added that he respects Brady and everything he did for the team, noting he loves watching old tape of the quarterback’s teams.
That led to Gronkowski talking to Maye about his old playbook. The former Patriots tight end was in New England with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who returned to New England this season.
Gronkowski said what really impressed him was when he mentioned old play calls, Maye knew exactly what the play design was – even though McDaniels changed the name.
“The intelligence he had for the game of football. We were talking plays, and I was saying plays that the name of the play when I was there with McDaniels, and now the name has totally changed,” Gronkowski said. “And he not just knew my play, the play when it was named, our the terminology of when it was my, my era, but he also knew the terminology that it was of his era too.
“So, to know both and just know what I was doing on the play call that I said to him was just pretty impressive. So that’s when you know he has a high football IQ, and that’s what you need as a quarterback position.”
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