The Patriots are languishing at the bottom of the AFC East at the moment, but in the not-so-distant past, they used to be unstoppable. An unflinching coach leading a team of winners, spearheaded by his star quarterback Tom Brady, and special weapon TE Rob Gronkowski. Together, they would tear through defenses, winning four Super Bowls. Today, their modern-day equivalents sit in Kansas City with three Super Bowl titles to their name.

Inevitably, comparisons have been drawn between the New England greats and the Chiefs icons. Mahomes’s success is drawing parallels with Brady, though he still has a long way to go and Travis Kelce has been compared with Gronkowski. But Gronk doesn’t think that way. According to him, there is no real comparison between him and Kelce.

Speaking on the Dudes on Dudes podcast, Gronk revealed, “You know, it’s really like not a comparison. What they ask him to do with the Chiefs—I could not replicate what he’s doing… And if you ask him to do what I was doing with the Patriots, I don’t think he could do it like I was doing.”

According to Gronk, it’s all about the scheme. Kelce thrives on finesse, while, back in the day, Gronk leaned on power (physicality)—two very different kinds of NFL play.

He further went on to explain his unique approach in classic Gronk fashion. “I’m gonna run… and I’m gonna use my body to be physical. Tom [Brady] just throws the ball up… I’m bigger, I’ll box him out and just go up and catch the freaking ball.” And if you have seen him play, then you’d agree he was all about pure physicality, bulldozing his way.

Now, on the other hand, Kelce loves his nimble footwork and route-running. His play is weaving not bulldozing. As he navigates through defenses instead of plowing through them. But both of these routes lead to the end zone. And, in the end, that’s what matters. But it’s kinda strange to hear Rob go all in with such an explanation, especially after he boldly claimed the 49ers TE George Kittle to be the best in the league.

Speaking live on Fox NFL Sunday, Gronk said about Kittle, “It’s definitely George Kittle. He’s leading the league in touchdown receptions at the tight end position.” But Gronk based his assessment on the current season so far. And is he wrong? Let’s be honest, this is Trav’s worst season in the Red and White. Even he’d agree with that.

So far, Kittle has had 503 yards with six touchdowns while Kelce has had 335 yards with only one TD. But how does the Chiefs TE stack up against Gronk?

Still, Kelce has been putting up numbers that even Gronk acknowledges are no small feat, especially at this stage in his career.

If we dive into the stats, the tale becomes clearer. Crystal clear? Well, not so fast, folks. Sure, Gronk has Kelce beat in yards per catch, averaging 15 to Kelce’s 12.3, but that’s only because Gronk made a habit of bulldozing through defenses like a wrecking ball.

Watching Gronk was like watching a freight train barrel through a secondary. He didn’t just pick up yards; he picked up bodies on the way. Those extra two-and-a-half yards per catch? That was Gronk adding his own special brand of carnage, leaving defenders in his wake. It’s something that made him unforgettable—maybe even irreplaceable.

Beyond the numbers, though, this isn’t a debate easily settled. Both players redefined the position for their teams and eras. Gronk was the heart of the Patriots’ offense, just as Kelce has been for the Chiefs. But the one thing they do agree on? Playing together would’ve been the stuff of legends. As Kelce put it, that duo would’ve been “unfair.” For the rest of the league, that is!

Travis Kelce steadying his season

Imagine it: Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski, side by side. Kelce even teased it himself on X, joking, “Same Team!?!? Would be unfair!!” The Chiefs’ star went on, picturing himself lateraling the ball downfield to Gronk. Thankfully for the rest of the league, that’s just a “what if” scenario. But let’s be real—this NFL season has enough on its plate handling Kelce solo.

After a slow start to the season, Kelce seems to be finding his groove. And boy, he is vibing to it now! Sure, it took six games for him to hit the end zone, finally scoring against the Raiders in Vegas. But the way he ran the show in Allegiant Stadium, you know he is so back. And he even posted a cheeky post-game shout-out that read, “Vegas Baby!!” Chiefs fans know he’s got a soft spot for the city. (And the whole KC fam does, after last year’s Super Bowl win)

This week, it’s the Bucs who’ll have to deal with this red-hot Travis Kelce heating up. Last year, he nearly missed hitting 1,000 yards—a first since 2016—and whispers of “slowing down” started surfacing. But he quieted those doubters in the postseason, pulling off a career-high 32 playoff receptions.

So far, it looks like we’re seeing that comeback arc hitting. And it’s about time. Isn’t it? Get ready to witness the start of Travis 2.0 for the 2024 season.