Rob Gronkowski is well aware that Tom Brady can still play in the NFL if desired.
The 48-year-old Brady made headlines when he stated during a recent interview with CNBC that he explored the idea of possibly making a return to the NFL. However, the league wasn't a big fan of it, with Brady being a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brady recently teamed up with Gronkowski for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where the seven-time Super Bowl champion showed that he still has it with a few nice crisp passes during the day, including one to Gronkowski on a two-point conversion.
"Tom looked incredible," Gronkowski told Covers in an exclusive interview. "It looked like he’s never missed a down in his life still to this day, being 48 years old. He's never missed a beat over the last three years he has taken off.
"The guy is just a competitor. He's a performer. He looked like he was 24 years old out there. If he played in the NFL right now –– which I swear he still could –– he's the only one that could at the age of 48, and he would be a top-10 quarterback."
Gronkowski, who won four titles alongside Brady as one of the most dominant tight ends in history, goes so far as to say that he believes Brady could still play at a starter level until the age of 54.
"Hypothetically speaking, I would say until 54 years old," Gronkowski said. "This guy is just different. He blew my mind. Over the last month, we were training together, and every time I was walking away impressed with his skill-set, his competitiveness, and just how his arm strength, his accuracy is all still there.
"He might have it for life. He might have it until like 80 years old. I have never seen a come-down with his athletic skills ever. This guy's just a machine."
When asked what exactly it is that Brady does to remain in such good shape, Gronkowski said it's "everything," including his methods such as the TB12 method.
"He does everything right," Gronkowski told Covers. "I will attribute it to how disciplined he is, his methods as well. They're wonderful methods, they work great. But on top of all that, he just has it. He was born like that. You do everything, but your body has to be there, and he was blessed with always being ready to go. I admire it big-time forever."
Fanatics Flag Football Classic was ‘unbelievable’
Gronkowski really enjoyed teaming up with Brady again for the flag football venture, suggesting it felt just like old times with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It was an unbelievable experience," Gronkowski said. "You gotta thank (Fanatics CEO) Michael Rubin and Tom Brady for putting on a spectacular display. Just how quick it changed from Saudi Arabia to having it hosted in Los Angeles, and just how high-end it was, how they took care of the athletes, our family, and then just made it a spectacular event. They did such a great job. They really did. I appreciate them having me out there.
“Unfortunate I got a little dinged up, but I had a great first drive. I went out there, had three catches on that first drive, the two-point conversion. It looked like Brady-to-Gronk was back once again. Unfortunately, I had to leave the game at the end.”
Gronkowski, who left the game after the two-point conversion due to a hamstring injury, said he probably won't be playing again until next year when the next flag football classic game takes place.
"As of right now, I think there is a two-year agreement with the flag football game," said Gronkowski. "So I think it's going to happen again next year. But as of right now, there's no other showcases on my radar. I'm just trying to heal up right now my man and just be ready to go for the NFL season again with the FOX family."
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Next step for Drake Maye is avoiding turnovers
The current New England Patriots –– with whom Gronkowski won three Super Bowls –– are heading in the right direction under young quarterback Drake Maye.
The Patriots just turned in a surprising season, advancing to the Super Bowl a year after going 4-13. However, they came up short as they were soundly defeated by the Seattle Seahawks, 29-13.
Maye finished second in MVP voting, leading the league in completion percentage and passer rating.
As Maye prepares for his third season and to hopefully lead the Patriots over the hump for their first Super Bowl since 2018 (when Gronkowski was there), the tight end believes he just has to cut down slightly on the turnovers as the one thing he needs to improve upon.
Maye had eight fumbles in 2025, the sixth-most of any quarterback.
"When his deep ball is there, his deep ball is really there," Gronkowski said. "You saw it on display throughout the whole season. What I really loved about him and his improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 was that he learned how to read a defense. He learned how to check it down in the situations when the situation is presented, not to force your ball, but check it down and take five yards or six yards per play, instead of forcing it in there.
"But I would say to protect the ball. He had the ball on the ground a lot. He had a lot of fumbles. So you gotta protect that ball, because turnovers hurt your team big time."
Travis Kelce's return is ‘great for the game’
Gronkowski is a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he's first eligible next year. He's a four-time All-Pro and led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2011.
Travis Kelce, a fellow tight end who entered around the same time period as Gronkowski, recently decided to return for a 14th season in the NFL. Kelce posted 76 receptions for 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, but his imminent marriage to global music star Taylor Swift had fueled retirement talk.
"Travis Kelce coming back, it just proves how great of a player that he is, how he takes care of his body," Gronkowski told Covers. "His longevity in this game of football, especially at the tight end position, is just remarkable. I have nothing but great respect for Travis Kelce.
"It's great for the game that he's coming back. I'm sure it's great for Kansas City as well. His leadership, his knowledge out there on the field. I see him all the time, good friends with him. It's going to be great to see him out on the field once again. And like I said, I admire his longevity. It's incredible what he is still doing at such a high level."
When asked who is the best tight end in today's game, Gronkowski goes with George Kittle. The San Francisco 49ers tight end is still playing at a high level at the age of 32, having posted his seventh Pro Bowl campaign.
Kittle was limited to 11 games in 2025, his season ending with a torn Achilles in the Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I really love what he does in the run game, and I really love what he does in the pass game," Gronkowski said. "If George Kittle can stay healthy this year and come back at full speed from the Achilles injury, with how dominant he is going against defensive ends and how hard he plays, he's the complete package at the tight end position. I love watching what he does out there and his passion for the game."
