As the NFL season charges into Week 3 on September 16, 2026, the New England Patriots find themselves at a crossroads, both on the field and in the annals of their storied history. The latest flashpoint? First-year Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs donning the iconic No. 87—a jersey last worn with distinction by future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Gronkowski addressed the topic during an interview with Kay Adams on Wednesday, revealing he wasn’t consulted about the number’s reissue but remains unfazed. “I’m not the one who makes the decisions over there,” Gronkowski said. “I wasn’t consulted at all. But I’m cool with it.”
For a franchise steeped in championship lore, the mere sight of another player in No. 87 stirs emotions among the Patriots faithful. Gronkowski, after all, redefined the tight end position with a rare blend of size, speed, and sheer dominance. His four first-team All-Pro selections and four Super Bowl rings—three with New England—cement his legacy as Tom Brady’s most lethal weapon. Yet, as reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, Gronkowski took a diplomatic stance, advocating that only Brady’s No. 12 deserves retirement. “The only number that I truly believe should be retired in New England … is the No. 12,” he stated. “Tom set the standards. If you’re not on that page, if you’re not playing for 20 years, I don’t think that any other number should be retired.”
The Number 87 Carousel: A History of Post-Gronk Wearers
Doubs isn’t the first to sport No. 87 since Gronkowski’s final game in New England in 2018. The jersey has been passed around like a hot potato, with players such as Tre Nixon, Matt Sokol, and Mitchell Wilcox—some of whom never recorded a regular-season catch—also donning it. However, Doubs arrives with far more fanfare. Acquired to be a focal point of the Patriots’ passing attack, the former Packers standout has the potential to make the number his own. Still, as highlighted on Vulius, the optics of a starter wearing a legend’s jersey amplify the debate: Should the Patriots have retired No. 87 the moment Gronkowski hung up his cleats?
Why Retiring Numbers in the NFL Is a Complex Equation
In the NFL, retiring a jersey is a far more intricate decision than in other sports. With only 100 numbers available (0-99) and 53-man rosters, scarcity is real. Position-specific numbering further complicates matters. As a result, teams reserve the honor for the most transcendent figures. The Patriots have retired numbers for Gino Cappelletti (20), Mike Haynes (40), Steve Nelson (57), John Hannah (73), Bruce Armstrong (78), Jim Lee Hunt (79), and Bob Dee (89)—alongside Brady’s No. 12. Notably, none of those players won a Super Bowl with New England. Gronkowski, by contrast, was the engine of a dynasty, a matchup nightmare who delivered in the biggest moments.
“The only number that I truly believe should be retired in New England … is the No. 12. … Tom set the standards.” — Rob Gronkowski
Gronkowski’s stance is characteristically team-first, but it also raises a compelling question: If not No. 87, then what? His impact on the Patriots’ story rivals that of any player not named Brady. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk sees it, the case for retiring No. 87 is stronger than for several numbers already hanging in the rafters. Yet Gronk remains at peace, focused on his post-playing career and his enduring legacy. For now, Doubs will wear No. 87, and Patriots fans will watch with bated breath—hoping he can carve even a fraction of the greatness Gronkowski once brought to Foxborough.
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