Super Bowl 2026: Rob Gronkowski On Being ‘Surprised’ Of New England Patriots’ Success In Mike Vrabel’s First Season

Rob Gronkowski admits he is “surprised” the New England Patriots have made such a quick turnaround in Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Penske Media via Getty Images

Even Rob Gronkowski surprised the New England Patriots have advanced to the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel’s first year as head coach.

Many pegged the Patriots to be an emerging team this season as a possible wild card squad. It all made sense considering Vrabel’s past success as a head coach with the Tennessee Titans and Drake Maye’s impressive rookie season.

However, they exceeded all expectations by not only winning the division, they’ve advanced to Super Bowl LX and Maye will potentially end the season as the NFL MVP in only his second year.

“I knew they were going to have some success, I felt like that they were going to be a wildcard team and make the playoffs this year and show promise,” said Gronkowski in a one-on-one interview. “But I am surprised and shocked with the amount of success that they have had. It’s been a remarkable turnaround. It’s unbelievable what they have accomplished this year in the first year with Mike Vrabel as head coach.”

The Patriots’ 14-3 record are their most wins in a single season since Tom Brady led them to 14 victories during the 2016 season. That season culminated in a Super Bowl win over the Atlanta Falcons, the infamous 28-3 comeback game.

New England is the most well-put together team in the NFL, ranking in the top four in both offense and defense. While the Patriots have a couple of star players in Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez, they’re not a star-studded team by any means with only two Pro Bowlers.

“Having the identity of just being a strong football team, just going out there and not making the mistakes, not turning over the football in crucial situations, and going out there and just finding ways to win games and play together as a team,” said Gronkowski.

When asked what is the key for the Patriots to win Super Bowl LX over the Seattle Seahawks – the No. 1 seed in the NFC – Gronkowki said slowing down the run game with Kenneth Walker is paramount. Walker has been one of the hottest running backs in the postseason, rushing for 178 yards and four touchdowns during Seattle’s postseason run.

The Seahawks are currently -4.5-point favorites.

“The key for the Patriots is their run- stopping defense,” said Gronkowski. “They need to stop the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive run game with Kenneth Walker. He’s an absolute beast right now running the ball. He’s running angry, he just looks like a maniac out there, like a Tasmanian devil just running with it, getting yards and touchdowns all over the place. But the Patriots’ run defense is very solid. They stop many great running backs, so that’s going to be the matchup to look for.”

Rob Gronkowski On Charissa Thompson Being His Bounty Wingman Entering Super Bowl LX

For the third consecutive year, Gronkowski is partnering with Bounty for their “Bounty Wingman” campaign. During his first year with Bounty in 2024, the all-time great tight end partnered with former Patriots teammate Julian Edelman before doing so with New Orleans Saints great Drew Brees last year.

This time around, he’s doing it with his fellow Fox co-worker in Charissa Thompson.

“Drew Brees was my wingman last year, Julian Edelman was my wingman the year before,” said Gronkowski. “He’s been my wingman plenty of times throughout the years, when we were with the Patriots, but I got a co worker this year because we pick each other up in the studio at all times, and we get each other on our A game before every segment, and that’s with Carissa Thompson – she is my wingman this year.

“In studio, whenever we’re in the green room, things get sloppy, things get messy with the food situation and Bounty paper towels, we help each other out and give each other a roll to clean up all the mess,” Gronkowski continued. “On top of it – the slogan, the best slogan you can ever think of – is that you can’t have football without wings, and you can’t have wings without bounty. I’m a football guy my whole life, I’m a wing guy, I’m from Buffalo. I love my buffalo wings, and I love my Bounty paper towels, because it cleans up all my messes in the cafeteria, in the green room, and also off the field my whole entire career.”