Rob Gronkowski Teases ‘Third Dynasty’ For Patriots Before Super Bowl Return

Rob Gronkowski set a high standard for the New England Patriots before Super Bowl LX.

The Patriots collected their 12th AFC title with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos. Gronkowski played alongside Tom Brady for Bill Belichick when the organization last appeared in the Super Bowl seven years ago.

Could Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye commence another era of prolonged dominance? Gronkowski wondered as much during Fox’s NFC Championship Game coverage on Sunday.

“This is gonna be a rematch. The last time Seattle was in the Super Bowl, it was versus the Patriots,” Gronkowski noted of Super Bowl XLIX. “And the Patriots won, and it was the start of the second dynasty. Is it gonna be the start of the third dynasty?”

Some Patriots fans may consider Brady and Belichick’s run as one extended dynasty, but Gronkowski split up their six titles into separate reigns. After winning the Super Bowl in 2001, 2002 and 2004, the Patriots waited a decade before returning to the mountaintop and earning three more rings in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Of course, these Patriots must win one Super Bowl before the dynasty conversation can truly begin. They opened as underdogs against the Seattle Seahawks, but they were considered even bigger longshots to defeat the St. Louis Rams in Brady’s Super Bowl debut.

Dynasty or not, the Patriots have taken a massive leap back into the spotlight by winning the AFC in Vrabel’s first season. Postseason included, they have more wins this season (17) than in each of the past three seasons (16) combined.

Super Bowl LX begins Sunday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.