Rob Gronkowski believes the upcoming clash between the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders could be one of the standout games of the NFL weekend, particularly because of the unusual connection between the two teams and Tom Brady.
Gronkowski, who won four Super Bowl championships alongside Brady, has watched his former quarterback move into a very different role since retiring from professional football.
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Brady is now a minority owner of the Raiders as well as the lead NFL game analyst for Fox Sports, while Gronkowski works on Fox NFL Sunday.
That creates an unusual situation ahead of the Patriots-Raiders matchup.
Brady spent nearly two decades becoming synonymous with New England, winning six Super Bowls with the franchise before claiming another championship with Gronkowski and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, he has an ownership stake in a team preparing to face his former club.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun at the 41st Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner in New York City on October 5, Gronkowski discussed the Raiders' encouraging start to the 2026 campaign and explained why the matchup has captured his attention.
“That’s going to be a good game; it really is,” Gronkowski said at the event. The Raiders are very solid. They’ve got a tough defense. They’re putting it together on offense as well with Kirk Cousins. This is going to be probably the game of the week.”
Las Vegas entered the matchup with a 3-1 record, making it one of the early surprises of the season following a disappointing 2025 campaign.
The Raiders have shown signs of improvement under their new leadership, with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins helping to direct the offense.
New England, meanwhile, has been looking to build momentum after an inconsistent opening to the season.
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For Gronkowski, the most fascinating element is the connection between Brady's past and present.
The former quarterback remains one of the most celebrated figures in Patriots history, but his responsibilities as a Raiders owner mean he now has a stake in the fortunes of a franchise that once stood opposite New England in some of the NFL's most memorable contests.
Gronkowski acknowledged that the situation could make the game particularly compelling for viewers.
“And also [with] Tom, being Mr. Patriot that he is but also having some ownership in the Raiders, this is going to be a rivalry,” he said. “I’m excited to watch. I’m excited to see a good game.”
Brady became an approved limited partner of the Raiders in October 2024, acquiring a five percent stake in the franchise.
His transition into ownership has added another dimension to his post-playing career, which also includes his high-profile broadcasting role with Fox.
The arrangement means Brady's relationship with the NFL remains multifaceted. He is no longer taking snaps on the field, but he is involved in the league as a broadcaster and investor.
His ownership position also comes with restrictions on certain broadcasting activities, including access to team facilities and production meetings, designed to address potential conflicts of interest.
Gronkowski, meanwhile, can approach the contest as a former Patriots star and an analyst without having an ownership interest in either team. His enthusiasm reflects the broader appeal of seeing Brady's old franchise face the team he now helps own.
The former tight end's comments also come as New England works to establish its identity in the years following Brady's departure.
Although the Patriots have undergone significant changes since their dynasty years, the quarterback's legacy continues to shape how fans view the team. A game against Las Vegas naturally brings that history back into focus.
Away from football, Gronkowski was in New York to receive recognition at the Great Sports Legends Dinner, an event supporting research into spinal cord and brain injuries.
The annual fundraiser benefits the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami.
The 2026 event honoured 11 sports legends and announced a $1 million gift to establish a drug-discovery programme supporting the research effort.
Gronkowski said the recognition was meaningful to him, praising the event's long-running contribution to the cause.
“It really does. It’s absolutely legendary to be here,” Gronk said.
“This is one of the best fundraisers of all time, especially, you know, in the sports industry. It’s been going for 41 years now. Over a half a billion dollars raised throughout those 41 years. It’s just absolutely incredible.”
The evening brought together athletes and public figures to raise awareness and funds for research and treatment involving paralysis and neurological conditions. For Gronkowski, it was an opportunity to celebrate a cause beyond the game that made him famous.
But the Patriots-Raiders matchup will provide a different kind of reunion. With Brady's old loyalties colliding with his new business interests, Gronkowski expects an entertaining contest, and one that could become a talking point well beyond the final whistle.