What happened: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels compared receiver A.J. Brown to Rob Gronkowski, saying "there's a force to the way he plays the game" and calling Gronk the closest thing he has seen. The remark circulated on social media, with analyst Dan Orlovsky amplifying the conversation toward the Pat McAfee Show.

Why it matters: Gronkowski is one of the most dominant offensive players of his era, so a coordinator reaching for that comparison signals unusually high internal expectations for Brown heading into the 2026 season. Public praise from a play-caller often hints at an expanded role in the offense.

What to watch: Watch whether the comparison translates to usage once the 2026 season begins and how heavily Brown is featured in the game plan.