Rob Gronkowski has surprising response to Romeo Doubs taking his Patriots number

Eight jersey numbers are retired by the New England Patriots, and Rob Gronkowski's 87 is ot among them. Arguably the greatest tight end of all time and certainly revered as the best to ever wear a Patriots jersey, his number is still fair game in New England.

The Patriots signed wide receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract, and he chose to continue wearing No. 87, as he did with the Green Bay Packers.

Gronkowski received no advanced notice of the number assignment, but his reaction may surprise some.

"I wasn't consulted at all, but I mean, I'm cool with it," Gronkowski said to Kay Adams on the Up & Adams show.

Gronkowski further argued that the only off-limits number should be his Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammate, quarterback Tom Brady.

There were multiple years between Brady leaving the Patriots and his number being retired ahead of the 2024 season, but no one dared touch No. 12 during that time.

"The only number that I truly believe that should be retired in New England… is the No. 12," Gronkowski said. "That's the only number that I truly believe. Tom set the standards, and if you're not on…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/