The New England Patriots will enter a new era in 2019. Unfortunately for those in New England, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has officially retired from the NFL. Yet, former NFL running back Shane Vereen doesn't think this will affect the heralded AFC East franchise too much.

“Josh McDaniels said it best,” Vereen recently said on NFL Network's NFL Total Access. “You're not going to replace Gronk. He's a once in a generation type of player. Don't even stress yourself in trying to replace him. Even furthermore, in the last three years Gronk has missed 13 games. Don't think that the Patriots and this offense doesn't know how to play without him.They won the Super Bowl in 2016 without him in any of the postseason and in the Super Bowl.”

Vereen knows such a situation better than just about anybody; he was used as Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's Swiss Army knife during his time in New England. The versatile running back was utilized effectively in both the passing and rushing games.

“This offense is an offense that morphs to the talents of its players,” Vereen added. “It's not an offense where you get guys and fit them into the offense. The offense fits around the talent of the players, which is why every week it looks different, which is why different guys are featured, which is why defenses are scratching their heads trying to figure out who to stop. It's a very fluid offense, which makes it complicated, but once you get it anybody has a chance to be successful.”

The Patriots, of course, have won two of the last three and three of the last five Super Bowls.