Rob Gronkowski could be Fox Sports’ next big star as Jimmy Johnson retires

With NFL legend Jimmy Johnson officially stepping away from broadcasting, Fox Sports may be looking to shake things up. According to reports, retired tight end Rob Gronkowski is emerging as a potential successor to fill the void left by the Hall of Fame coach.

Jimmy Johnson leaves a legacy at Fox Sports

After spending more than three decades as a fixture on Fox Sports’ NFL coverage, Jimmy Johnson announced his retirement last month. The 81-year-old, who won two Super Bowls as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, reflected on his decision, stating:

“The most fun I ever had in my career, that’s counting Super Bowls and national championships, was at Fox Sports. But I’ve made an extremely difficult decision. I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years and I’ve decided to retire from Fox. I’m going to miss it. It’s been a great run starting 31 years ago.”

With Johnson’s departure, Fox now faces the challenge of finding a new dynamic personality to take on a bigger role in their NFL coverage.

Rob Gronkowski could step up as the new face of Fox Sports

According to reports, four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski is among the top names being considered for a larger role at Fox. The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end has been a studio analyst for the network in recent years, and his vibrant personality makes him a strong candidate to fill the void left by Johnson.

Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports highlighted the shift in Fox’s strategy, stating, “Rob Gronkowski has been doing more on the league’s most-watched pregame show. The 35-year-old Gronk delivers a more youthful, irreverent vibe alongside TV monuments like the 76-year-old Terry Bradshaw and 65-year-old Howie Long. Fox loves stars.”

Gronk and Brady: A new dynamic duo on Fox?

If Gronkowski steps up as a lead analyst, he wouldn’t be the only Patriots legend making waves at Fox. His former quarterback, Tom Brady, joined the network’s NFL coverage in 2024 on a massive $375 million contract. Brady’s transition to broadcasting has been widely praised, and Gronk himself recently commended his former teammate’s improvement in the booth.

“He has definitely improved as well since his first couple games, which is understandable,” Gronkowski said. “There’s so much pressure on you. You never called a game ever, for that long in your life, to be up in that booth and break down plays like that. But you get better as you go on, and that's all… I expect nothing less from Tom Brady as well, to get better because he loves to practice good habits.”

Also Read: Tom Brady sparks dating rumors after arriving with mystery woman star-studded David Beckham party

Fox Sports has yet to make an official announcement regarding Johnson’s full-time replacement, but all signs point to Gronkowski playing a larger role in the network’s coverage. With his charisma, deep football knowledge, and existing rapport with fans, he could be the perfect choice to help Fox transition into a new era. If this happens, it would be another major win for Gronkowski, who continues to find success beyond his playing days.

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