Tom Brady helped Rob Gronkowski increase his bottom line Sunday, but that doesn’t mean it banked him a dinner invite.
During Monday’s episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast on SiriusXM, the Buccaneers quarterback opened up about not making the guest list for Gronkowski’s postgame celebrations, even after doing his part to ensure the tight end would earn $1 million in incentives from Tampa Bay’s Week 18 win over Carolina.
Tom Brady (right) helped Buccaneers teammate Rob Gronkowski, here in December 2021, earn $1 million in incentives this past weekend. Getty Images“I don’t know, man. That’s OK. I know what he eats. Let’s just say it’s not along the guidelines of TB12 so he can have his dinner without me,” Brady said.
Gronkowski unlocked two $500,000 bonuses in Tampa Bay’s season finale this past weekend. He needed to hit 55 receptions and 750 receiving yards for the season, according to Spotrac, and finished the year with 55 catches and 802 yards.
“He’s amazing, I mean, what he’s done this year,” Brady said of Gronkowski. “He just, the guy’s an incredible player, he’s a great teammate, and I think what he does day in and day out to prepare himself is what blows me away. I think he’s the greatest tight end in NFL history. What he does in the run game, the pass game, the kind of teammate he is, he’s amazing.”
Brady was seen barking at his coaches and forcing his way back into the game, even though it was out of hand, to ensure his longtime friend cashed in. As soon as Gronkowski reached the 55-catch mark, Brady exited for backup Blaine Gabbert.
Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady appeared to defy a coach’s order Sunday to stay in the game in order to help Rob Gronkowski earn his bonuses. TwitterFollowing the 41-17 win, Gronkowski, 32, joked that he was going to take his teammates to dinner, sans Brady. The 44-year-old quarterback responded Monday by saying he’d treat his offensive lineman to a fancy meal instead.
“I’m going to take my linemen out because those guys balled out all year. Maybe I’m going to take them to Morton’s and get them a nice steak because those boys deserve it. Those guys had a hell of a year. Tristan [Wirfs], Alex Cappa, [Ryan] Jensen, Donnie [Smith], and Ali Marpet, man, those guys balled out,” Brady continued Monday. “Gronk can have his dinner with all his tight ends. I’m going out with the o-linemen. Sorry, Gronk, I’m going to miss you. Just make sure you’re not out too late.”
With the Buccaneers now chasing back-to-back Super Bowl titles, their focus is a wild-card win on Sunday at home against the Eagles.
