Bruce Irvin:

On Sunday night, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski formally announced over Instagram that he will be retiring from the NFL after nine professional seasons.

Look for the Patriots and Tom Brady to air it out this week. Oakland’s secondary has yet to record an interception this season

That is why this upcoming game for them is a must-win. And they’re going to need their defense to play much better than it has so far.

The Patriots lost an iconic figure with the retirement of Jerod Mayo this week, and while it wasn’t entirely unsuspected it leaves the Patriots with a depth issue behind starters Hightower and Collins. Those two are arguably the best pair of linebackers in the league and the team’s immediate concern is locking them up long-term.