Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Rob Gronkowski isn’t convinced that Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets will be serious contenders for the Super Bowl this season.
Despite Rodgers’ ambitions of leading the Jets to a championship, Gronkowski remains skeptical about their chances.
Rodgers is gearing up for what feels like his true first season with the Jets, following a devastating Achilles injury he sustained shortly after joining the team last summer.
The injury sidelined him for nearly the entire season, leaving Jets fans and Rodgers himself with unfulfilled expectations.
In recent interviews, Rodgers has made it clear that his goal is to retire with a Super Bowl victory as a Jet, but Gronkowski, a former New England Patriots tight end, isn’t so optimistic.
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During a recent appearance on the “First Things First” show, Gronkowski discussed Rodgers’ chances with hosts Nick Wright and Kevin Wildes. When asked about Rodgers’ Super Bowl aspirations, Gronkowski offered a cautious outlook. “I see the Jets having success and making the playoffs,” Gronkowski said. “But I don’t really see a Super Bowl.”
While Gronkowski expressed doubts about the Jets’ Super Bowl potential, he didn’t dismiss Rodgers’ abilities entirely. He acknowledged that Rodgers is likely to have a strong season, saying, “I see him dominating, that’s for sure—definitely putting up touchdowns and having a great ratio of touchdowns to interceptions.”
Gronkowski has been outspoken on various NFL topics recently, sharing insights and anecdotes from his career. One notable story he recounted was his experience facing Bernard Pollard, a player notorious for causing injuries to New England Patriots players. Speaking on Julian Edelman’s podcast, “Games with Names,” Gronkowski recalled a particularly painful encounter with Pollard.
“He hip-drop tackled me—Bernard Pollard, who’s kinda like the Patriot killer,” Gronkowski said. “He took out Tom’s knee. I think he messed up Welker as well.”
Gronkowski described Pollard as a “dirty player” and detailed how a tackle by Pollard during a game in Indianapolis led to a serious ankle injury. “I landed on my ankle when I fell down, and my ankle snapped,” Gronkowski shared. “It was disappointing, but me being me, I went in the locker room, ‘Shoot me up! I don’t care, I’m going back out there!'”
The injury not only impacted that game but also cast a shadow over Gronkowski’s Super Bowl experience, leaving him with lingering memories of a season marred by pain.
As Rodgers prepares to lead the Jets this season, he’ll undoubtedly be aware of the challenges that lie ahead, both on and off the field.
While Gronkowski may not see a Super Bowl in the Jets’ immediate future, Rodgers’ performance will be closely watched as he attempts to defy the odds and achieve his ultimate goal.
