Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to be reunited with teammate in FOX Sports role

24 August 2023 , 20:48

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Julian Edelman, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski spearheaded the dominant New England Patriots offense for years (Image: Getty Images)

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski will be reunited with Julian Edelman after the former New England Patriots receiver agreed a deal to join FOX Sports.

Edelman, who starred for New England between 2013 and 2020, will be part of the Sunday NFL Kickoff Show. The three-time Super Bowl champion will serve as an analyst and bolster the network’s lineup of high-profile names.

The 37-year-old will be joining analysts Charles Woodson and Michael Vick alongside NFL insider Peter Schrager and host Charissa Thompson on the show. Fans can follow along with Edelman and co.’s insights and discussions each Sunday at 11:00 AM ET in the buildup up to FOX NFL SUNDAY, the leading NFL pregame show for an impressive 29 successive seasons.

The acquisition of Edelman means FOX Sports now boasts three defining offensive pillars of the Patriots dynasty that won Super Bowls on a seemingly annual basis: quarterback Brady, perennial All-Pro tight end Gronkowski and the diligent, unrelenting receiver Edelman.

Selected in the seventh round by the Pats in the 2009 NFL Draft, Edelman tallied an impressive 620 receptions, 6,822 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns. He earned a place in both the Patriots’ All-2010s Team and All-Dynasty Team, highlighting his legacy as a franchise all-time great.

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Fans remember Edelman as the player who stepped up and delivered in the biggest moments, with his crowning moment coming in Super Bowl LIII when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams. Edelman was named Super Bowl MVP, accounting for more than half his team’s yards in the 13-3 win.

Edelman will bring unique insight and a charismatic presence to the FOX Sports team, joining Gronkowski as an analyst while Brady is set to enter the booth in 2024. Back in February, Brady retired from the NFL after 23 seasons with four MVP awards and seven Super Bowl titles to his name.

Last year, FOX Sports announced Brady would join the network as a lead analyst following his retirement after he signed a blockbuster 10-year contract worth $375million. Brady then informed the broadcaster he will get to work in the booth in the 2024 season, giving himself a year away from the game to get used to retirement.

Tom Brady celebrated with Julian Edelman after the New England Patriots won Super Bowl LIII (Getty Images)

Brady retired from the NFL as the league’s all-time leader in passing yards (89,214), touchdown passes (649), regular season wins (251) and a number of other records. As a result of his longevity and unprecedented success, the former quarterback is considered by many to be the greatest in NFL history.

When he does eventually join, the 46-year-old will have a familiar face in the FOX Sports studio: four-time Super Bowl champion Gronkowski. The legendary former tight end joined the broadcaster as an on-air analyst midway through the 2022 season after opting against a return to the NFL himself.

Gronkowski was drafted by Brady’s Patriots back in 2010 before coming out of retirement to join him in Tampa Bay as he enjoyed unparalleled success alongside the iconic quarterback, catching 105 touchdown passes combined in the regular season and playoffs - the second-most between a duo in NFL history after Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. Ahead of Super Bowl LVII, Gronkowski revealed he was excited to link back up with Brady for a third time in his career, even if it is off the field.

“Yeah, of course - he’s one of my closest friends,” Gronkowski told Mirror Sport at FOX Sports’ media session in Arizona when asked if he’s excited to team up with Brady. “I’m looking forward to see what he brings to the booth. He has so much experience, he knows football, so I think he’s going to be really good at it.”

Andrew Gamble