A simple plea to New England Patriots receiver Romeo Doubs

There are no tangible, rational reasons to take the shirt off Romeo Doubs' back.

Call it sports karma or the universe reclaiming order on the athletic front, but there is just no way the football gods will allow Doubs to succeed as a New England Patriots receiver wearing the No. 87.

Doubs wore 87 for his three pro seasons with the Green Bay Packers and claimed the number in New England when the Patriots inked him to a four-year, $68 million deal, $39 million of which is guaranteed.

There is only one true Patriots' 87

New England football followers know who should have been the last 87 – one of the greatest tight ends in National Football League history, four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski.

Here are six huge reasons Doubs should find another number to play with in New England.

1. Gronk put his body in peril for the Patriots cause over nine seasons in New England. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro had 521 catches for 7,861 yards and 79 TDs.

2. Legends are built in the postseason. Gronkowski was 12-4 in the playoffs for New England with a dozen touchdowns.

3. His 29-yard catch in the Super Bowl LIII win over the Rams goes down as a top-five grab in franchise history when it comes to magnitude of the moment.

Brought out the best in Brady

4. In a time where Bill Belichick's coaching style blunted players' ability to express themselves, to the point that it was affecting their performance, Gronkowski broke down the wall. After a decade of frustration since the 2001-2004 championship run, his presence allowed Tom Brady to emote and be himself. That translated to three more rings for the franchise.

5. The Patriots have already erred and allowed Matt Sokol (8 games as a pro) and long-snapper Jack Westover to besmirch the number by wearing it. Three wrongs won't make a right.

It just won't look right

6. Finally, it is the guardian cap that Doubs played with in Green Bay. Let's be clear. I have no issues with the guardian caps. I'm all about player safety and believe they have the right, and basically the responsibility to protect themselves, to be as safe on the field as they possibly can. Just do it in another number, Romeo. It simply doesn't work with Gronk's 87.

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This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 6:00 AM.