Rob Gronkowski Reveals Patriots Gave No. 87 Jersey to Romeo Doubs Without Consulting Him

The New England Patriots apparently didn't check with Rob Gronkowski before giving the No. 87 jersey to wide receiver Romeo Doubs.

When asked this week on Up & Adams about Doubs' number selection, Gronkowski told Kay Adams, "I'm not the one who makes the decisions over there."

"I wasn't consulted at all, but I mean, I'm cool with it," Gronkowski told Adams. "The only number that I truly believe that should be retired in New England... is the No. 12."

Gronkowski continued, "If you're not playing for 20 years, I don't think that any other number should be retired. I think all other numbers should be very usable."

The Patriots retired Tom Brady's No. 12 ahead of the 2024 season. The franchise had previously retired seven other jerseys, but none since Bruce Armstrong in 2001.

New England signed Doubs to a four-year, $70 million contract as a top option for Drake Maye alongside A.J. Brown this offseason.

Doubs, who wore No. 87 for four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, claimed the jersey again after arriving in New England.

Gronkowski donned the same number throughout his nine seasons with the Patriots, during which he contributed to three Super Bowl runs alongside Brady.

The tight end is set to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame this November and is a candidate to join the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2027.

Doubs struggled last week in the Patriots' season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, during which he recorded no catches and dropped a pass in his team's 13-10 loss.

Now that Brown is sidelined for an anticipated six weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Patriots will hope more than ever Doubs can live up to the legacy of his jersey number as his team prepares for Sunday's home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.