For all those barbell-pumping football fans out there, the plateau is a common thing. But it’s not limited to the gym. It is everywhere. NFL teams and players hit their best, even the ones that conquered everything. We are talking about Rob Gronkowski, a Patriots legend. While Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were running the show in the league, the Gronk overwhelmed the Pats. Yet they wanted more. And Belichick found motivation from a player who arrived 3 years later, Travis Kelce.

On the January 22 episode of the Inside the NFL show on the CW network, the legendary coach revealed he made his TE watch tapes of the Chiefs TE. He praised Kelce’s style of being more controlled on the run and avoiding tackles. While talking about his TE, Bill Belichick said, “I talked to Rob about this. Rob eventually became a much better runner with the ball in his hands, by slowing down and getting down under control.” That was a masterclass in how the minds worked at the Patriots.

They copied Kelce’s technique of slowing down and taking more control of the ball instead of rushing up. It helped Rob Gronkowski improve in the long run, avoiding injuries while raking up more yards. To prove his point, Bill Belichick also showed a video that showed Gronk running with control, avoiding DBs. Here’s a comparison of his stats of 2011, his best NFL season, and 2014 and 2015, after he applied Travis Kelce’s technique.

It just cements Travis Kelce‘s place among the best tight ends in the league. After copying his technique, Rob Gronkowski achieved a similar output in fewer games while prolonging his career. Even though he started in 6 fewer games, he had only 5 fewer TDs in 2014. In 2015, he had 16.3 yards per reception, even when teams put more defensive players around him. That’s incredible.

However, as the captain of the Patriots‘ ship, Bill Belichick always had to pay special attention to the GOAT. Not only his players, he had to change himself as well. It’s a story that shows TB12’s tunnel vision.

Tom Brady forced Bill Belichick to raise his game

During the January 21 episode of SiriusXM Let’s Go! podcast, the former Pats coach revealed how he knew he got someone special in the 2000 Draft. Tom Brady was hungry for success. But on top of that, he had this mindset where his life revolved around football. The coach got his first glimpse during their initial meetings when Brady would point out any play that Bill Belichick hadn’t observed. It forced him to raise his game too.

While talking about the biggest football star, the coach said, “It forced me to go back and be more attentive and be more detailed even than what I thought I was being. It was a good thing. It was absolutely a good thing.” He was referring to those dark room film sessions where they spent hours viewing rivals’ plays before any game. That was like the first step towards victory.

Bill Belichick’s approach to the game also changed as the seasons went on. In the end, it became a dynasty that impressed everyone and brought in worldwide fans with the 6 Super Bowls in 2 decades. As Brady aged, things turned sour, with questions about his ability. In the end, they parted ways. While the GOAT won another Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, Belichick couldn’t achieve the same success and left the league.

They are in different places in their lives. But their legacies live on. It’s the Mount Rushmore of the NFL that everyone dreams of finding a place on, someday.