Rob Gronkowski floats hypothetical involving Belichick and how iconic TE would “still be playing with Patriots and winning Super Bowls”

Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichick were two of the most famous people at the Tom Brady roast hosted by Netflix. The two know Brady better than most, having been key contributors to the New England Patriots dynasty. Hence, it wasn't a surprise when both Belichick and Gronkowski earned plaudits for their parts in the event.

Following the event, the legendary tight end chopped it up with former teammate Julian Edelman. Speaking on the Games with Names show Gronk had this to say about his former head coach. Gronkowski said, "Coach Belichick may be my new favorite person since the roast. If he showed that personality at all while he was a head coach, I still think we would be playing with the Patriots and winning Super Bowls."

The perennial Pro Bowler might be right, as Belichick remains unemployed heading into the 2024 NFL season. The future Hall of Famer was let go by the Patriots and has yet to pick up a similar role with an NFL franchise.

Rob Gronkowski won three Super Bowls with Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick was the Patriots head coach and de facto general manager when the franchise drafted a young Rob Gronkowski in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Gronkowski has since expressed surprise at the Patriots' choice, as he felt that he messed up in the interview process. The Patriots didn't care and soon signed him to a four-year rookie contract worth $4.4 million, with a $1.76 million signing bonus.

Gronkowski became one of the greatest Patriots ever, as he was arguably Tom Brady's biggest weapon. The Brady-Gronkowski connection was unstoppable at times due to Brady's accuracy and Gronkowski's raw power. The pair helped Bill Belichick coach New England to three Super Bowl rings during Gronkowski's time with the franchise.

During that spell of dominance, Gronkowski became arguably the greatest tight end in the history of the National Football League. He earned four first-team All-Pro nods, five Pro Bowl selections, a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, and was the 2011 NFL receiving touchdowns leader (a rarity for a none wide receiver).

Bill Belichick didn't always get along with Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady, but that didn't stop the trio from dominating the league for over a decade. Gronkowski retired from the game for the first time in 2019, thereby ending his nine-year tenure with the Patriots. He later came back from retirement to run it back with Tom Brady for two more seasons before, once and for all departing from the league.