Rob Gronkowski, Entering Sixth Patriots Season, Still Feels ‘Like It’s Year 1’

This season will be Rob Gronkowski’s sixth in a New England Patriots uniform. But despite having a half-decade of NFL experience under his belt, the tight end said in some ways, he still feels like a rookie.

“It’s crazy going on Year 6 already. It does feel like it’s Year 1,” Gronkowski said in an interview with former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham posted on Patriots.com. “But it feels good. To know the system, know the field, the team, to come out here and know what I’m getting into so I can just focus on my craft and what I’ve got to do to get better as a player every single day.”

Gronkowski did not play in either of New England’s first two preseason games but has garnered rave reviews for his performance in practice. The 26-year-old also is adjusting to a role that’s still somewhat foreign to him: veteran leader.

“I’m definitely getting comfortable in that situation, for sure,” Gronkowski told Chatham. “A lot of guys come in, ask questions. I give them the best answer (to) my knowledge, to what I know, along with the coaches, too. But it’s going good. I want to set an example of going hard out there on the field.

“But at the same time, I don’t like to think that I’m a vet. I’m still one of the younger vets, which is how I like to look at it. I’m still a young buck.”