Rob Gronkowski absent from Fox NFL Sunday to start new season after ex-Patriots tight end took up new role with network

ROB Gronkowski was nowhere to be found on the Fox NFL Sunday set to cover the NFL’s Week 1 slate.

The New England Patriots icon, 35, has taken a new role with the network after being an analyst on Fox NFL Sunday from 2022 to 2024.

Getty

Curt Menefee , Terry Bradshaw , Howie Long , Michael Strahan , Jimmy Johnson , and Jay Glazer were all on set Sunday.

Gronk , however, didn’t appear on the program.

The four-time Super Bowl champion will be a contributor on Fox NFL Sunday and not be a regular analyst like he has been the last two years.

Gronkowski will contribute to Fox NFL Sunday and Fox NFL Kickoff on Sundays during the NFL season, Fox’s website says.

That indicates he won’t be a regular panel star with Strahan and Bradshaw but instead make sporadic appearances.

Fox NFL Kickoff takes place from 11 am to noon Eastern.

The show is hosted by Charissa Thompson and features analysts Michael Vick, Colin Cowherd, Peter Schrager, and Charles Woodson.

Fox NFL Sunday follows the show from 12-1:00 pm Eastern.

Gronkowski will be a teammate of Tom Brady on Fox.

The two were once teammates on the Patriots where they won four Super Bowls together.

Brady will be beginning his $375 million deal with Fox Sports as he will be an NFL analyst in the broadcast booth.

Gronkowski shared that he believes Brady will wow in his new role.

“I think Tom is going to be excellent,” Gronkowski told Bleacher Report last week.

“There’s nothing in the world he’s ever done and bombed. He prepares way too well, and that’s why he was the greatest quarterback of all time.

“He knows how to prepare. He’s going to take his time like it’s game day and he’s playing in the game. I’ve seen him study, I’ve seen him practice and get ready for games every Sunday.

AP

“I’m sure it’s going to be a similar approach for him. If that’s the approach he’s going to take, then let me tell you, he’s going to be great.”

Brady will be alongside play-by-play Kevin Burkhardt and reporters Erik Andrews and Tom Rinaldi.

He’ll have a chance to possibly converse with Gronkowski, who will do his work in the studio.

Brady and Gronk won’t be the only Patriots legends who will be part of the media during this year’s NFL season.

Former head coach Bill Belichick will be a regular on ESPN’s ManningCast and a guest on The Pat McAfee Show on Mondays.