Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski Reveals 'Secret Sauce' Behind Chiefs' Dominance With Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce 1
The Kansas City Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls entering 2025, but last season the dynasty fell apart. They finished 6-11, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and lost Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL and LCL in Week 15.
Now, as Mahomes and Co. work their way back ahead of 2026, questions about Kansas City’s future are growing louder. Among them is whether the Chiefs’ run at the top is simply over. NFL legend Rob Gronkowski thinks the first run of the ‘mini dynasty’ is indeed over, and he recently explained what the secret sauce behind their previous sustained success was.
Rob Gronkowski explains what made Chiefs’ formidable during ‘mini dynasty’
Gronkowski is familiar with Kansas City’s success after competing against the team throughout his career. He won four Super Bowls and faced the Chiefs on the biggest stage. In Super Bowl LV in February 2021, his Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs 31–9. Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes in that game.
His comments follow a disappointing 2025 season for Kansas City. The Chiefs had been one of the NFL’s top teams for years, but the 2025 season raised fresh questions about the team’s long-term outlook. Mahomes’ season was cut short by a serious knee injury, and Kansas City struggled to match the standards it had set during its most successful years.
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsFeb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
When Gronkowski was asked during a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show about the Chiefs heading into 2026, he said: “I kind of put them in the tier two bucket, okay? I feel like they’re not tier one right now. Patrick Mahomes coming off of the injury… he’s going to have to prove to everyone first that he’s still the elite quarterback that we all know him to be.”
He explained what made the Chiefs formidable after winning back-to-back championships with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co.: “Other teams in the NFL, everyone was scared of the Kansas City Chiefs. Everyone was scared to hit them in the mouth. Everyone was scared to give ’em their best, I felt like.”
Gronkowski said the Chiefs’ first run 0f the dynasty has come to an end: “The first era of their dynasty, they had a mini dynasty. There’s no doubt about that. That is over. They didn’t go to the playoffs last year. They got smacked all over the field; Patrick Mahomes went down. Nothing went their way last year. If they’re gonna have another dynasty, it starts now.”
In Gronkowski’s view, the franchise must now prove it can begin a new chapter of success in 2026.
Chiefs starts 2026 with some new faces
Travis Kelce is back with the Kansas City Chiefs for his 14th NFL season. He finished the 2025 season with 76 catches, 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His partnership with Patrick Mahomes remains a key part of Kansas City’s offense.
Kenneth Walker III has joined the Chiefs’ backfield. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy remain in the receiving group. Behind Mahomes, the quarterback room includes Justin Fields and rookie Garrett Nussmeier.
On defense, Chris Jones, Nick Bolton and George Karlaftis are still among the Chiefs’ key players. The 2026 roster includes several familiar names along with some new faces.
With Mahomes, Kelce, Rice, Worthy and Walker leading the offense, the Chiefs still have plenty of talent. Their performance in 2026 could determine whether Kansas City returns to championship contention or faces a longer road back to the top.
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