Rob Gronkowski says AJ Brown is the Patriots’ X factor for a Super Bowl comeback
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AJ Brown is already working with his New England Patriots teammates after months of trade rumors led to the Philadelphia Eagles finally sending the Pro Bowl wide receiver to Foxborough.
It was a marriage both sides wanted, and Brown’s frustrating 2025 campaign would end with a Wild Card Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home. Now, he steps in as the team’s top receiver with Stefon Diggs out after just one year.
The Patriots are the reigning AFC champions, although they were unable to get another ring after the Seattle Seahawks beat them in Super Bowl LX earlier this year. But they hope the addition of Brown, to complement their young, strong team, is what they need to bounce back.
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown warms up during training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, Pa., on July 24, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Images)
One Patriots legend believes he’s the key to at least getting them back into contention.
“I think he’s going to be the X factor to bring the Patriots back to Super Bowl contention,” Rob Gronkowski, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, told Fox News Digital, while highlighting his relationship with Ryde: “I mean, it’s very difficult to say you go to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl of the Super Bowl. They’re not opponents either.
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“That’s all you can ask for going into the preseason. That’s all you can ask for going into the season, there’s no question about that. To get back to the Super Bowl, you have to improve your program, and AJ Brown is without a doubt the improvement they needed.”
“Gronk” has already been brought up when it comes to Brown wearing a Patriots uniform, even though they don’t play the same positions. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who used Gronkowski very well during their time together in New England, recently said Brown is “the closest thing” he’s ever seen to Gronkowski.
“There’s power in the way he plays the game…probably the closest thing I’ve seen is Gronk,” McDaniels told reporters earlier this month. “This is a big man.”
Brown’s ability to overcome tackles has been his calling card, and why he keeps getting open even when a quarterback is on top of him. That physicality is something the Patriots could use, along with Brown’s ability to run a route that has led to four straight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards.
AJ Brown of the New England Patriots runs midfield at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 9, 2026. (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
Gronkowski also saw a change in the Patriots when they acquired receiver Randy Moss in 2007, which ultimately saw a significant matchup.
“The only similarity I would say he has with Randy Moss – they’re two completely different players. Completely different builds,” Gronkowski explained. “But they’re both great No. 1 wide receivers. They’ve had a down year — I wouldn’t say a down year. And then they both want to go to the New England Patriots. That’s the similarity I see between Randy Moss and AJ Brown.
“I think he’s going to be really focused. This is a dream team for him. He’s always been a New England Patriots fan, even when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He came out and agreed again. So, I think he’s going to be tuned up and ready to go. He’s still young enough to give it his all, go out there and produce at the highest level.
“It’s been a big improvement, a big gain for the Patriots. I really like the move.”
Rob Gronkowski attends WrestleMania 42 Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 19, 2026. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Quality sleep is a must for Gronk
It was in high school that Gronkowski realized just how little quality sleep was for a budding athlete. He needed to take a nap before every basketball game he played after school, and it was a habit that followed him throughout college and into his professional football career.
After all, someone like Gronkowski, a beast on and off the field, needs rest and recovery to be able to continue all these years.
That’s why Gronkowski was happy about it partner with Ryde: performance brand, and help evangelize how great their two-ounce SLEEP health product is for users who want to fall asleep faster at night, while supporting quality sleep.
“It fits my lifestyle,” Gronkowski said. “It’s a living opportunity that fits my daily goals. It’s all about balance. It’s all about recovery too, and that’s what this picture SLEEP does for me. You have to sleep if you want to recover, if you want to work hard all day, and you want to do it again the next day and the next day. You have to get your sleep to recover and that will help you sleep well.”
Ryde has introduced the new SLEEP shot, designed to help users improve their sleep quality while waking up feeling refreshed for the day. Rob Gronkowski, an NFL tight end, has partnered with the company to launch a new product. (Ryder)
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Between SLEEP and fan-favorite FOCUS shots, Gronkowski knows he’s putting natural ingredients into his body, insisting that “it’s all natural.” SLEEP uses melatonin, GABA, L-theanine and chamomile to help users relax, and Gronkowski found it perfect for his daily routine.
“This is the first time I have spoken about being a sleep advocate and I believe in it a lot,” he said. “I used to take naps because I believe in sleeping a lot. If I sleep through the night, I don’t need to sleep a lot. That’s where Ryde: SLEEP starts. I can sleep through the night and be ready to go the next day.”
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