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The New England Patriots were supposed to be “down the middle,” as Rob Gronkowski told PK Press Club Digital, but instead they looked like the Pats of old.
New England stunned the football world with a 14-3 record and all the way to the Super Bowl, led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
Sure, New England may have benefited from an easy schedule in the regular season, and in the playoffs they faced Jarrett Stidham instead of Bo Nix. The Super Bowl wasn’t pretty, as they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks.
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New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman raises his hands in celebration with tight end Rob Gronkowski after throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Danny Amendola during the third quarter of the NFL Divisional Playoff football game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
But Gronkowski and one of his former teammates don’t believe the 2025 Pats are a fluke.
“What the New England Patriots did this season was incredible. And they’re going to continue to build on that from now until next year, I’m sure they’re going to be in the playoffs consistently now,” Gronk told PK Press Club Digital. “That’s the expectation. They’ve got the quarterback, they’ve got the coach, they’ve got the ownership, they’ve got the foundation now, and you’re going to see them compete at a high level every year now, which is great for Patriots fans.”
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up before the AFC NFL Championship football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Patriots have simply built the next generation of success, and Gronkowski sees the same thing in Infiniti and its new QX65. Gronk and Julian Edelman were on hand at New York’s Grand Central Terminal for the unveiling.
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“I’ve always wanted to be there in the big moments and work behind the scenes, and that’s what stood out to me with the Infiniti. They’re really intentional in how they move forward and what they build next. That’s the way you have to be as a soccer player, as an athlete, you have to be very intentional and to stay at the top of your game and be able to compete at the highest level. And that’s what it does. Infiniti.”
“I’ve been fortunate in my career to play in many great moments, and that’s exactly what we see with the Infiniti,” added Edelman. “They’re so detailed and have a purpose in everything they do. When you look at the design of the car, the rear, the interior is spacious, very detailed. I mean, it’s just something so cool. It’s been a fun experience.”
Edelman is also “very confident” the new look Pats are here to stay.
“Any time you have a head coach, a quarterback, an owner and a general manager working together and in unison, it seems like every free agent they’ve signed has had a big moment, a big role on the team. There’s been a lot of great things that have happened.”
Edelman warned Patriots fans to temper their expectations a bit and not expect another 14-win season. However, he expects a more solid product on the field.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye celebrates with the AFC Championship trophy after the AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots in Denver, Colorado on January 25, 2026. (AP Photo/John Locher)
“It’s time to get on task. You know, time on task with the quarterback. Get him ready with the offensive line, fix that offensive line and make them work together more. I mean, it’s a young group. So I’m really excited for the Patriots this year,” he said.
“I think they’re real. They may come out and not have as many wins, but I think they’ll be a better football team this year.”
