New England Patriots: 5 wild predictions for 2019 and beyond

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the third quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

Gronkowski retires but returns mid-season in 2019

Rob Gronkowski will ride into the sunset after two great performances in the postseason.

Jubilant that he fulfilled his promise to fans and was a part of the team’s sixth Super Bowl title, Gronkowski admits the physical wear and tear has become too much for his body and decides to hang up his helmet.

Weeks later, Gronkowski announces that he will indeed join the WWE.

After drafting a tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Patriots sign free agent Jared Cook on a one-year deal, but it is last year’s seventh-round pick Ryan Izzo who emerges as a pass-catching tight end.

With his ability to block and catch the ball, Izzo becomes a Tom Brady favorite, which leaves Cook seeing less and less reps.

After Cook blows up in the media, the New England Patriots release him mid-season. In a surprising move, Rob Gronkowski decides to come out of retirement to help his boy Tom Brady win one last Super Bowl as the 42-year-old quarterback gives into Father Time and announces his retirement following the 2019 NFL season.

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