NFL notebook: Patriots TE Gronkowski announces retirement

"It all started at 20 years old on stage at the NFL draft when my dream came
true, and now here I am about to turn 30 in a few months with a decision I
feel is the biggest of my life so far. I will be retiring from the game of
football today," wrote Gronkowski, who turns 30 in May.

Quarterback Tom Brady, who has thrown twice as many touchdowns to Gronkowski
(78) as any other player (Randy Moss, 39) in his career, commented on the
tight end's Instagram post, writing, "Love u man!! The (GOAT)!! Couldn't be a
better person or teammate!!!!"

Gronkowski -- who has battled serious injuries to his back and knee and missed
29 games in his career -- openly pondered retirement last offseason. A
three-time Super Bowl champion, four-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro
Bowl selection, Gronkowski caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns
in 115 games from 2010-18.

--The Pittsburgh Steelers' contract talks with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
are "still ongoing," general manager Kevin Colbert told the NFL Network.

"This is probably his last contract as an NFL player, so it's significant,"
Colbert said.

Roethlisberger, 37, is entering the final season of the $87.4 million deal he
signed in March 2015. He is due a base salary of $12 million in 2019. In his
15th season as Pittsburgh's starter, Roethlisberger posted his best
statistical season in 2018 as he led the league in completions (452), attempts
(675) and passing yards (5,129).

--If first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury knows who his Arizona Cardinals will
select next month with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, he isn't letting on.
In an interview with NFL Media this weekend, Kingsbury said the team hasn't
made a decision.

"I think everything's on the table," he said. "When you have that first pick,
you've gotta turn over every stone and look at every scenario that's out
there, and so we're definitely doing that."

One frequently mentioned possibility is that the Cardinals -- who selected
quarterback Josh Rosen with the No. 10 overall pick in 2018 -- will choose
Kyler Murray, the Heisman Trophy-winner from Oklahoma and trade Rosen. Arizona
finished an NFL-worst 3-13 last season.

--Two-time 1,000-yard receiver Jeremy Maclin announced his retirement, making
the announcement at his wife's baby shower.

Philadelphia's first-round pick (19th overall) in 2009, Maclin played five
seasons with the Eagles (2009-12, 2014), two with the Kansas City Chiefs
(2015-16) and spent last year with the Baltimore Ravens.

Maclin, 30, sat out the 2013 season after tearing his ACL in training camp. He
caught 85 passes for a career-high 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns for the
Eagles in 2014 and then rejoined former Philadelphia coach Andy Reid in Kansas
City, catching 87 passes for 1,088 yards and eight scores in 2015.

--New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been sued by the owners of
the New Jersey home he rented, contending the value has fallen by 30 percent
since a man's body was found there.

In court documents filed last week, the owners said they are seeking $700,000
in damages, according to NorthJersey.com.

The body of music producer Roosevelt Rene was found in the basement of the
home last June. Jenkins' brother, William Jenkins, was charged with aggravated
manslaughter and other charges related to Rene's death.

--Former New England Patriots receiver Malcolm Mitchell has ended his short
NFL career, he announced.

Speaking at an event at his alma mater, Georgia, Mitchell told attendees he
was moving on to a "new chapter" of his life.

The oft-injured Mitchell was waived by the Patriots before the 2018 season and
spent the year out of the league. He was continuing to battle a knee issue
after missing all but one preseason game in 2017.

--Field Level Media