Tom Brady’s first season as Fox’s lead NFL color analyst had its moments, but it largely served as a work in progress. While there were flashes of insight, his debut campaign primarily showcased inexperience and a struggle to present his football IQ in an easily digestible format. His performance in Super Bowl LIX epitomized the season: competent but unremarkable. Early in the year, Brady admitted he had difficulty simplifying complex football concepts for viewers, which further highlighted the challenges he faced.
On a more positive note, Rob Gronkowski, his longtime teammate and fellow NFL on Fox personality, offered a different perspective. In an interview with On3 Sports, Gronkowski commended Brady’s progress and expressed pride in his growth. “He’s doing an excellent job, and I’m so proud of him,” Rob Gronkowski told On3. “He has definitely improved since his first couple of games, which is understandable. I mean, it’s such a tough job; there’s so much pressure. You never called a game for that long in your life, up in that booth breaking down plays.” Gronkowski believes that improvement comes with experience, noting that he expects Brady to continue to refine his skills given his commitment to practice and his desire to grow.
While Gronkowski’s praise for Brady is commendable, it’s essential to consider that he has consistently been one of Brady’s biggest supporters, offering no criticism even when Brady faced challenges early in the 2024 season. It raises questions about Gronkowski’s objectivity in evaluating his longtime teammate’s on-air abilities.
One valid point from Gronkowski is that Brady now has gained real experience. He wasn’t exceptional, but he also wasn’t a disaster. While he may not yet embody the “veteran” broadcaster Gronkowski claims, the experience of calling high-stakes games could contribute to his growth heading into the second year of his 10-year, $370 million deal with Fox.
