OverDrive - Gronkowski on his Super Bowl success, Mahomes' elite greatness and the experience with Brady

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

Four-time Super Bowl Champion and NFL on FOX Analyst Rob Gronkowski to discuss the headlines around the NFL, the Super Bowl matchup of the Eagles and Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes' greatness, the experience playing with Tom Brady, the Bills searching for success, winning the Super Bowl with the Patriots and more.

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That's why I was on point. But I'm doing pretty good, man. I got the kind of the You know Sunday hangover day on Monday, you know, it's kind of the Monday scary all day yesterday We were at the game in Philly breaking down the game. Then we had a good time after I had a couple pops you know with the crew and now today's just a slow day just Recalibrating recovering and and getting back after it this week. Okay, does Brady get out with you after a Fox telecast

or like where does he stand in the line with, like you said out with the crew and all that because he's in the booth now, right, with Fox? Yeah, Brady's doing such a good job. He actually, he did unbelievable yesterday in the booth and he's had such a great playoff, you know, in his rookie year so far and I'm proud of him. But now he went right home.

He's got family. He's got kids. He's got to attend to so totally understandable. Okay. What about the rest of the crew? Have you like experienced or given any of your colleagues the real like take it deep on the road night out or you do separate and just do that with your boys and let them kind of do their own thing?

I separate, you know, I definitely separate but we have a good time together still. I mean, it's kind of like a work party, you know, you just have a couple drinks to socialize, have a good time, nothing too crazy. I mean, there's no there's no reason to get too crazy. But you want to get loose, you still get loose, you still wanna have some fun, you don't wanna be stiff, and it's a good atmosphere. I love working at Fox. I believe it's one of the best companies out there

in the world to work for, and I've been with them for about three years now, and they take care of their talent, they take care of everyone in the organization, in the business of Fox, and my colleagues as well, they're the best around. They've been doing it for over 30 years now and I learned so much from them.

But they're serious when it's time to be serious and they're fun when it's time to have some fun and that's what's so great about working with them. Yeah, that's what you're looking for, man. You need a combination of both and you guys have got the Super Bowl, right? Like Fox has got the Super Bowl down in New Orleans. So in terms of preparing for that, what do you, what

do you make of it? We got Kansas City, Philly. It's, it's a rematch of what we had two years ago. Um, these storylines, are you guys going to have to find them now? Because again, it's, it's familiar teams and you've been through that a lot in your career when you were at New England. What do you make of this matchup for Super Bowl 59? I mean, you're going to definitely have to go back to the game that was played. What year was that when they when they face off with each other? Two years ago? Yeah, a couple years ago. 2020, right? Something like that. Yeah, only a couple years ago. Yeah, it was

a couple years ago. It was just a couple years ago We don't know the exact year, but that's okay You're gonna go back You're gonna reevaluate what went wrong, you know what they did right what the eagles did right what the eagles did wrong? What the kansas city chiefs did right what the kansas city chiefs did wrong? Um, you're gonna see what type of new players that they have on the roster this year how they upgraded their team Uh why both of them are where they are now? this year, how they upgraded their team, why both of them are where they are now. Let me tell you, the Kansas City Chiefs, they're kind of the similar team that they were when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles a couple years back in the Super Bowl. Now with the Philadelphia

Eagles, I feel like they kind of revamped, you know, their whole entire way that they play the game. Yes, they have the same head coach and same quarterback, but they're more of a run emphasis. And they got, you know, a big emphasis as well on their offensive line and defensive line. So I believe that this Eagles team is a better team than when they made it to the Super Bowl a couple years ago. Howie Roseman has just done an unbelievable job as their general manager and bringing in talent,

signing guys, especially drafting guys as well. That's how you sustain a program with success is being able to draft. So then you can have guys on the team that are talented, that are paid less. And then you can also have the big time vets as well and have a mixture of that. And Howie Roseman has done an excellent job

with the Philadelphia Eagles in that department. But what I really love about this rematch right now is that both teams are playing, you know, their best football right now. They're both peaking at the right time going into Super Bowl. So I'm so excited about that match. And it's going to be some good football

that we're going to be watching in two weeks. So how many times over the next two weeks are you going to be asked the comparisons between your boy Brady and the Holmes? It's going to be a lot, you know, I'll count this down right now as the first time being asked that. Yeah, I would say I would say that they're different players. I would say they're similar in the ways that they're both winners. There is no doubt about that.

Patrick Mahomes is a winner. Tom Brady is a winner. And there's always a generational quarterback that makes it hard for any other quarterback, you know, to go all the way and win the Super Bowl. And last decade, actually for two decades in a row, that was Tom Brady. It was hard for many to get to the Super Bowl because of Brady. It was hard for Drew Brees to get to the Super Bowl because of Brady and win one. And now this era, it's Patrick McCombs who's making it difficult for quarterbacks like Joe Burrow

and obviously quarterbacking Buffalo, Josh Allen, who just lost the worst fourth time in five years to Patrick McCombs and the Kansas City Chiefs. So they're very similar in ways that they are winners. They're QB destructors in the market of being a quarterback in the NFL and they're both at their top of their game and they're both both best in the league at least at one point in their career as well.

Gronk what goes in we were talking earlier just about the clutch gene is that just like a gift from God is that like preparation meets talent like you saw it with Brady we're all watching it with Mahomes like time and time again you need that first down you need that touchdown and time and time again they deliver like from behind the scenes what did you see that goes into that clutch gene or like I said is that just a gift from God and that's just the way it is well there's God given talent but if the God given talents not working well then that clutch gene isn't gonna come through but if you work that talent that God gives you like Tom Brady did well then that clutch

gene is going to show up when it's going to be needed. And that's sure what that that is 100% sure what Tom Brady did. That guy was the hardest worker on the field. He was the hardest worker in the meeting room. He made sure everyone was on the same page and he made sure that he was elevated every single day to elevate his teammates and coaches around him as well. And that's the same I would say with Patrick Mahomes, you know, here's the here's the thing that's very similar coach Balachek and coach Andy Reid.

They've run a tight type. They've run a tough a tough ship a tight ship. You know, there's no messing around when you hit that practice field. It's full go when you're out there with your teammates. It's full goal when you're going through each of your reps. So then when you get to the game, you know, if the game slows down a little bit, and then you're ready and prepared for all situations. And that's how Andy Reed runs his program.

That's how coach Belichick runs his program. And Tom Brady showed up every day buying in to be on that level. And Patrick Mahomes, from what I hear from players, he buys in every day and he works his tail off and that's why both of them are, you know, that's why Tom was at the top when he's playing and that's why Patrick Mahomes is at the top as well because they put the work in. We're chatting with Rob Gronkowski. We were talking about the Bills and you know how heartbreaking it's been for them and obviously their connection to the Patriots.

They're within the same division division they've been in the division forever you're a Western New York guy I'm curious where you stand on this because I'm sure you grew I don't know if you grew up a Bills fan but you grew up in the Buffalo area you torched them for years Brady and Belichick torched them for years then Brady leaves Belichick leaves you leave and now Mahomes and the Chiefs show up. Like, where do you stand on the Bills and how heartbreaking the last 20 years have been watching the Pats do what they've done and now the baton has been passed watching Kansas City what they're doing?

Well, I grew up a Buffalo Bills fan and then when I got drafted to the Patriots I really wasn't a Buffalo Bills fan anymore because I was on the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bales pass on me two times. So it wasn't really heartbreaking over the last decade when I was playing. I thought it was, you know, I thought I was on the right path and I thought Buffalo was on the right path because we were pounding on them. And I just thought that was normal. I was like, that's, that's what you get Buffalo for passing on me. But now that I'm not playing anymore, I actually do feel for the city of Buffalo. I became a Buffalo Bills fan more again, because that's where my home, homegrown roots are

from. And now that I'm not on the Patriots anymore, I'm out of football. I'm like, Ooh, all right. I like the Buffalo. You know, I like the Buffalo Bills again. I'm cheering for them. And it was heartbreaking to watch that game yesterday, especially for the city of Buffalo and all the fans and all the people that live in Buffalo. My family still cheering for the Bills. My friends are still cheering for the Bills and they sounded defeated today when I was talking to my friends and I felt for them because I know how dedicated those fans are. I know how much time they put in to, you know, be that third to be that 12th man out there

out on the out, you know, on game day when they're in the stadium cheering for their team. So, you know, it's tough to see. And I thought it would be really good for the city of Buffalo as well to boom the economy. I feel like the, you know, Buffalo needs that they need the Sabres to get that back on track and get to the playoffs. And they need the Buffalo Bills to win a championship as well. Yeah, we need that city to boom Yeah, don't hold your breath on the Sabres right now, man It's it's a struggle for them like that stings if you're a Bills fan, right you wake up today and we were saying that earlier

All right. Let's see what the Sabres are doing. They're dead last in the East and they're not gonna make the playoffs again, but in terms of you know The the Bills and where they go from here because it does seem to be one guy, one team, like it's, they make the playoffs every single year. They seem to run into the chiefs. They have a lead in the fourth quarter or an opportunity to win in the fourth quarter. Like you were never really on this side of it throughout your career, but how do they react to this? How do you get over the top? What kind of suggestion would you give to the bills now that they're licking their wounds and trying to figure out how do we crack this nut? How do we beat the Chiefs? What would you suggest they do from here?

Yeah, well, I kind of also feel bad for Bills fans as well because once I left once Julian left You know once Belchuk left and Tom Brady left. It was cut. It was like a relief for Buffalo Bills It was like oh, yeah, it's our turn now, but then here come the Kansas City Chiefs It's like nope not so fast guys You know we're still here. We're still in the AFC So they're kind of blindsided with that by the Chiefs by Andy Reed and the Holmes and company So that was a tough what you know a tough pill to swallow for Buffalo fans thinking that they're Dominate which they have been besides the Kansas City Chiefs, but in order to beat them

That's good. that's a tough question because they've been building their team, over the last five years to beat the Kansas City Chiefs and finally get over the hump. They have that nickel package defense so Mahomes can't throw on them. And they've been doing an excellent job. They just can't finish the game.

They can't come through in that clutch situation. As you can see yesterday that they didn't and then also the prior years as well. How they can come over that, you know, how they can get over that hump, get over that situation. You know, I'm not really sure yet. I feel like coaching plays a factor. You know, I feel like Andy Reid has out coached the Buffalo Bills over the years. I feel like he out coached the Buffalo Bills yesterday as well. So I'll probably say go win with a little different game plan the next time you face the Chiefs in the playoffs if that happens. So we said prior to having you on tight ends man they've been taking some heat the last

couple of weeks. Mark Andrews was taking heat last week in Baltimore and yesterday Dalton Kincaid on that that last offensive play for the Bills. Allen throws it up, you know the blitz is on. Kincaid stops up comes back and I don't know if you I don't know if you classify that as a drop a miss like as a tight end put yourself in his shoes I'm sure you've been in there many many times throughout your career. How tough was that catch and how reasonable was it to expect King K to make it? All right. The tough, the toughness of that catch.

I would give it about a nine out of 10, an eight eight or nine out of 10. You know, you got to plant your foot. You got to come back. It was a wobbly pass. It was pretty deep in the air too. There's tons of guys around, but if you want to win a championship, if you want to overcome all the penalties all the excuses all the turnovers You've got to make championship plays at Championship moments at the biggest moment in your career and the Buffalo Bills did not make that You know did not make that play in the biggest moment of the game And that's what it comes down to is how bad you want it in order to make that catch.

You got to be so focused. You got to be so dedicated and you got to want it so bad that you watch that ball go into your hands and you snag it and bring it in. For example, Julian Edelman is absolute dog. He's an absolute savage. He wants to win. He wants a championship. Did you see that focus in when they beat Atlanta when we were in Houston with that catch that he made? Why did he make that catch? Because he wanted it more. So I just take it, you know, that the Buffalo Bills just didn't want it as bad as the Kansas City Chiefs. And that's why they didn't end up making that play in the end.

You talk about your history with New England and everyone's moved on now you've retired Tom's retired Belichick has moved on is your relationship different with Belichick now I mean obviously as a coach it's probably a little bit different coach and player now that you're retired is it you know you see him as a normal person he's got a girlfriend he's maybe out having beers like what's your relationship with Belichick now that he doesn't have the power is between player and coach I see I see coach Belichick as like he doesn't have the power between player and coach? I see I see coach Belichick as like my wingman now. It's a whole different situation. You know, I was definitely I was

definitely one of his players when he was the coach and he was the coach, that's for sure. And he was the boss. You know, he ran a tight shift, you listen to what he had to say, but it's totally different. Now it's a totally different perspective seeing him. It's a totally different atmosphere when I'm around him. And I found this like new, profound respect for him as well. And this new type of relationship that we have

now that I'm not a player for coach Belichick. And I absolutely love it. I feel like everyone came together at that Tom Brady roast. Everyone got over their differences, their problems that we had in the future, no, that we had in the past. And then it just blossomed our future.

We all love seeing each other. We all love talking ball and we all love reminiscing on the good times that we had and all the championships that we won. Well, it's gotta be an incredible feeling looking what's going on in football today where all these teams cannot beat Mahomes and the Chiefs and you guys beat them. Like you beat them in 19, you went into Arrowhead

with the Patriots, and then you go on to win the Super Bowl. And then you get down to Tampa, you and Tom, you meet them in the Super Bowl and you guys beat them. Like how much pride do you take in that watching all these quarterbacks, all these coaches, all these teams trying to figure out Kansas City and you and Brady can sit back in Belichick and say, we figured them out and we beat them. Yes, we did. And I would just say we, I contribute that to the whole, you know, entire organization of the teams that I was on. Everyone wanted to win in the organization.

Like I was saying, you got to have that clutch gene and you got to want it in order to be a team like Andy Reid and Mahomes. You know, they're so talented. It's nothing short of amazing what they are doing going to the Super Bowl three years in a row. I have a possibility of a three P, but when we were together, you know know we had absolute dogs and savages on our team like Julian Adam and Danny Amendola you have Tom Brady you have myself and then like coach Belichick absolute animal in the coaching aspect of the game knowing every situation what to do you know what to do you know and what place to call and what to do if whatever situation pops up at end of the game.

So we were prepared. No one was ever panicking and we wanted to win. We wanted to be champions. We put the work in and I would say that's why we were able to overcome the Chiefs at that time because everyone was in it together. We played as a team. No one was being selfish and when you work together like that and you want to win a championship, that's how you overcome other championship teams Well, you might say it was destiny in the end and the kick of destiny is coming back, but it's Peyton and Eli Like what do you make a quarterbacks making kicks? Like where do you stand on this Gronk? I like it because Peyton and Eli their characters. They got a great person. They got great personalities, they're funny, they're in the media a lot,

and they love to do different things as well. For example, this Kick of Destiny, and I'm excited for it. I just saw the commercial this morning, actually, about Eli Manning at the press conference, and he was getting asked questions, and he just kept reminiscing that, hey, I'm only here not to get fined. And then at the end of the press conference,

he says he's using that fine money, you know So he can put some time and effort into his body with that money So he's ready for the kick and I thought it was a great commercial I was actually laughing my tail off and I'm going with Eli Manny to beat his brother Pagan because of that commercial I love it. All right, so we're on Eli man. Yeah, good destiny You cannot wait for it. All right. You got two weeks to prep for the Super Bowl. I'm sure you're going to be down in New Orleans. I know you'll be down there. Have fun, you know, and we appreciate you doing this Gronk. Thank you so much. All right, guys. I appreciate you guys having me on and I just want to let you know I was a

big hockey player growing up. I played until ninth grade my favorite thing was sought to do was check the goalie when he went behind the net on the rules is a goalie noodles is still currently suspended from the nl joe last night he was an nl goaltender the last guy that tried to hit me took his goalie stick and chop both his legs off from behind still suspended at fifty four years understanding this old school is understanding of you as my teammate, brother. Exactly.

Thanks, Gronk. Appreciate it. Alright, guys. Thanks for having me. There's Rob Gronkowski.