As the Kansas City Chiefs eye their third consecutive Super Bowl championship and Travis Kelce continues to move up the NFL's all-time leaderboards, you could understand why Rob Gronkowski might be a little envious of his fellow tight end.
After all, Kelce is still Patrick Mahomes' favorite target in the passing game. In a down season by his standards, Kelce still amassed 97 receptions on 133 targets -- numbers that Gronkowski never reached even at his peak.
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Of course, that's because Gronk did far more than catch passes; he was an elite blocker during his nine seasons with the New England Patriots, and the attention he drew in the passing game helped free up his fellow pass-catchers.
But does part of Gronkowski wish he had Kelce's role with the Patriots as a glorified receiver and the clear-cut No. 1 in the passing attack? The retired tight end was asked that question Wednesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand and insisted he wouldn't change a thing about his role in New England.
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"I've had that thought before, but I just don't think that would work with who I am," Gronkowski said. "I'm a complete tight end. I'm the whole package. I feel like I wanted to be able to block defenders out there and have the running back run behind me through a gapping hole."
Gronkowski also noted the size difference between he and Kelce (he's about 15 pounds heavier than the Chiefs tight end), which helped him thrive as a blocker.
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"It's also the way that we're built," Gronk added. "Travis Kelce is built differently than I am. He's built to be in that type of offense and to be that type of player, and to not really be used in the blocking game as much as a guy like myself.
"I'm built at 6-foot-6, 265 (pounds) to be a complete package, be in-line, blocking (defensive) tackles, blocking linebackers, blocking defensive ends, and that was the style of offense I was in as well. And that's the style of football I want to play as well, because I believe the blocking got me open.
"I feel like I wouldn't have as much have had as much success if I was in an offense that was just more spread out, and I wasn't lining (up) in-line as much, because the play-action game is what got me open majority of the time. It got me basically half of my yards as well when Tom (Brady) just faked the hand-off and just dumped it to me."
Gronkowski's blocking prowess makes his receiving production all the more impressive; he finished his NFL career with 621 receptions (10th all-time among NFL tight ends) 9,286 receiving yards (sixth all-time) and 92 touchdown receptions (third all-time). While Kelce ranks above Gronkowski in receptions (1,004) and yards (12,151), he's also seen 439 more targets than Gronk over his 12-year NFL career.
And that's perfectly fine with Gronkowski.
"It's just the way that we're built overall," Gronkowski said. "He fits the scheme that he's in, and I fit the scheme that I was in. So, I'm very satisfied with the style that I played, man, and I would never see myself playing a different style either, ever."
Gronkowski also discussed how the Chiefs stack up to the Patriots' dynasty, his thoughts on newly-hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and more. Check out his full interview with Zolak & Bertrand below.