Rob Gronkowski says AJ Brown is Patriots’ X factor for Super Bowl return

AJ Brown began working out with his New England Patriots teammates after months of trade rumors led to the Philadelphia Eagles finally sending the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to Foxborough.

While Brown’s frustrating 2025 season ended with a home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round, it was a marriage both parties sought. Now, with the departure of Stefon Diggs after just one year, he takes his place as the team’s top receiver.

Even though the Patriots are the reigning AFC champions, they didn’t get another ring after the Seattle Seahawks beat them in Super Bowl LX earlier this year. But they hope the addition of Brown to their young and dynamic roster is what they need to bounce back.

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One Patriots legend believes he is the key to at least getting them back into contention.

“I think it’s going to be the X factor to get the Patriots back in contention to be in the Super Bowl,” Rob Gronkowski, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, told Fox News Digital while highlighting his partnership with Ryde: “I mean, it’s very hard to argue that you’re going to go to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl, but I would say it’s the X factor that’s going to get them in contention to be a Super Bowl contender again.

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“That’s all you can ask for in the preseason. That’s all you can ask for going into the season, there’s no question about it. You need to upgrade your roster to get back to the Super Bowl, and there’s no doubt that AJ Brown is the upgrade they need.”

Even though they don’t play the same positions, the topic of “Gronk” had already been brought up when Brown started playing for the Patriots. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who used Gronkowski extremely well during their time together in New England, recently said Brown is “the closest thing” to Gronkowski he’s ever seen.

“There’s a power to the way he plays the game… maybe the closest thing I’ve seen is Gronk,” McDaniels told reporters earlier this month. “This is a big man.”

Brown’s ability to win contested catches has become a calling card for him and why he’s consistently always open, even with a defender all over him. That physical play is something the Patriots could use, as well as Brown’s route-running ability, which has led to four straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards.

AJ Brown of the New England Patriots runs during a minicamp at Gillette Stadium on June 9, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Gronkowski also saw a change in the Patriots when they landed a receiver named Randy Moss in 2007; This also sees significant similarity at tight end.

“I would say the only similarity he has with Randy Moss is that they’re two completely different players. They’re built completely different,” Gronkowski explained. “But they’re both great No. 1 wide receivers. They had kind of a bad year — I wouldn’t say it was a bad year, actually. Then they both wanted 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 fan of the New England Patriots, even when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s admitted that as well. So I think he’ll fit in and be ready to go. He’s still young enough to do his best, go out there and produce at the highest level.”

“It was a big upgrade, a big get for the Patriots. I really like that move.”

Rob Gronkowski attends WrestleMania 42 Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)

Quality sleep is a must for Gronk

It was during high school that Gronkowski realized how underrated quality sleep was for a budding athlete. He was required to take a nap before every basketball game he played after school, a habit that followed him throughout college and his professional football career.

After all, someone like Gronkowski, who is an animal both on and off the court, needs to rest and recuperate well to survive all these years.

That’s why Gronkowski is excited. Common with Ryde: The functional health brand is helping tout how good its new, two-ounce SLEEP wellness shots are for users looking to fall asleep faster at night while supporting sleep quality.

“It fits my lifestyle,” Gronkowski said. “It’s a very organic opportunity that fits into my daily goals. It’s all about balance. It’s also all about recovery, and that’s what this SLEEP kick does for me. If you want to recover, if you want to work hard all day, you have to sleep, and you want to do it again the next day and the day after. You have to sleep, and that’s why Ryde: SLEEP comes in to help me recover.”

Ryde has launched a new SLEEP shot designed to help users improve their sleep quality as they wake up feeling refreshed for the day. Legendary NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski partnered with the company to promote the new product. (Ryder)

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Between SLEEP and fan-favorite FOCUS shoots, Gronkowski knows he puts natural ingredients on his body, emphasizing that he’s “all natural.” SLEEP uses melatonin, GABA, L-theanine, and chamomile to help users relax, which Gronkowski finds perfect for his daily routine.

“This is the first time I’ve really talked about being a sleep advocate and I truly believe it,” she said. “Because I’m such a believer in sleep, I’ve always taken naps. If I get a full night’s sleep, I don’t need to nap as much. That’s where Ryde: SLEEP comes in. I can sleep all night and be ready to go the next day.”

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