Everything changes eventually. Even the most iconic pregame show in the history of television. For thirty years, you could set your watch by the "Fox NFL Sunday" crew. It was a comfort thing. You had Curt Menefee steering the ship, Terry Bradshaw being Terry, and the defensive wall of Howie Long and Michael Strahan. Then there was Jimmy Johnson—the silver-haired architect of the Cowboys dynasty—offering that specific brand of coaching wisdom.
But that era officially ended.
Earlier in 2025, Jimmy Johnson decided to hang it up at age 82. He’d been there since day one in 1994, minus a brief stint coaching the Dolphins. Replacing a legend is usually a nightmare for networks. They usually overthink it. This time, they just looked at the guy already sitting at the end of the table.
The Fox NFL Sunday Gronkowski broadcast change isn't just a minor seat swap; it’s a total shift in the show's DNA. Rob Gronkowski, the four-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest tight end to ever lace them up, is no longer just a "contributor" or a part-time guest. He’s the guy now. He is the full-time replacement for Jimmy Johnson, bringing a wildly different energy to a desk that has mostly been defined by Hall of Fame stoicism and Bradshaw’s comedy.
The Real Story Behind the Move
Fox didn't just wake up and decide to get younger. They've been grooming Gronk for this for a while. Honestly, he’s been a part-time member of the cast for a couple of seasons, jumping in when Jimmy needed a week off or for special segments. But the 2025-2026 season marked the first time the contract was full-time, putting him on the desk every single Sunday.
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The dynamic is... interesting.
You have the old guard—Terry (77) and Howie (65)—and then you have Gronk, who is 36 and basically a human Golden Retriever. In the first few weeks of the new permanent lineup, it was clear that the "Fox NFL Sunday Gronkowski broadcast change" was meant to inject some chaos. Terry Bradshaw even had a minor viral moment where he seemingly forgot Gronk was now a full-timer, which led to some classic on-air ribbing.
It works because Gronk doesn't take himself seriously. During the 2025 season opener, the crew pranked him with a fake story about a fictional tight end just to see if he'd catch it. He didn't. He just rolled with it. That’s the "Gronk" factor Fox is betting on. They aren't looking for another X’s and O’s coach like Jimmy Johnson; they have Tom Brady in the booth for the serious analysis now. On the pregame show, they want entertainment.
How the Desk Hierarchy Shifted
With Jimmy gone, the roles have subtly realigned:
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- Curt Menefee: Still the glue. He has to manage Gronk’s energy, which is like trying to put a leash on a hurricane.
- Howie Long & Michael Strahan: They provide the "serious" player perspective. They’ve become the "adults" in the room.
- Terry Bradshaw: The unpredictable wildcard.
- Rob Gronkowski: The bridge to the younger fans. He’s there for the spikes, the laughs, and the perspective of someone who played against current stars like Travis Kelce.
Why This Change Actually Matters for Fans
If you’ve watched the show lately, you’ve probably noticed the tech change too. Fox moved to a new studio in 2025 with massive XR/AR technology. We’re talking 54 million LED lights and real-time render engines.
The Fox NFL Sunday Gronkowski broadcast change coincides with this tech push. The network is trying to make the pregame feel like a video game come to life. Gronkowski fits that aesthetic perfectly. He’s literally jumped out of helicopters for segments and participated in high-tech demonstrations that Jimmy Johnson probably would have rolled his eyes at.
There's also the "Brady Factor." Having Tom Brady as the lead game analyst while his best friend and favorite target is on the pregame show creates a massive cross-promotional loop for Fox. They can reference each other throughout the day, which keeps viewers locked into the network. It’s smart business, even if it feels a little like a Patriots reunion some weeks.
The Retirement Context
Interestingly, right around the time this broadcast change solidified, Gronk made headlines for another reason. In November 2025, he signed a ceremonial one-day contract to officially retire as a New England Patriot. He announced it right there on the Fox set.
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It was a heavy moment, actually. He did it to honor a friend, Susan Hurley, who had passed away from cancer. It showed a side of Gronk that isn't just "party and spikes." It gave him a bit more "weight" as an analyst. Fans saw that he can handle the emotional beats of a broadcast, not just the "Gronk Smash" bits.
What to Watch for Next
If you're a regular viewer, don't expect the show to go back to the "good old days." This is the new normal. The "Fox NFL Sunday Gronkowski broadcast change" signifies a pivot toward "infotainment."
- Watch the chemistry with Terry: Bradshaw and Gronk are a comedy duo in the making. Their age gap is huge, but their energy levels are identical.
- Look for the Brady interactions: Fox will likely start doing more "Gronk interviews Brady" segments to capitalize on their chemistry.
- Pay attention to the "coach's perspective" void: Without Jimmy Johnson, the show lacks a pure coaching voice. Watch to see if they bring in guests like Mike Tomlin (who has been rumored for a TV jump) to fill that specific gap.
The game is changing, and so is the way we watch it before kickoff. Gronk might be a goofball, but he's a goofball with four rings and a permanent seat at the biggest table in sports media.
Next Steps for You:
Check your local listings for the upcoming Sunday slate; with the new studio technology and Gronk's permanent role, the broadcast starts precisely at 12:00 PM ET. You can also follow the "Fox NFL Sunday" social media clips to see the specific weekly segments where Gronkowski uses the new AR technology to break down tight end routes, which is honestly the most insightful part of his new role.