Tom Brady tells Bryson Dechambeau how Peyton Manning laid the foundation for the Patriots’ dominance

Tom Brady tells Bryson Dechambeau how Peyton Manning laid the foundation for the Patriots’ dominance

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski seemed to have a telepathic understanding.

The duo is arguably the best quarterback-tight end pairing of all time, although Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce may have something to say about it.

At their best, Brady and Gronkowski were unstoppable

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At their best, Brady and Gronkowski were unstoppablePhoto credit: Getty

Brady and Gronk won three Super Bowls with the dominant New England Patriots before taking the party to Florida and adding another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The legendary QB was the latest guest on Bryson Dechambeau’s Break 50 series and discussed the influence of long-time rival Peyton Manning on his career.

“I met with Peyton Manning once,” he began.

“We asked ourselves, ‘How do we get better?’ Because we have gotten older and are in the same systems.

“So we met in Tennessee in 2010 for about three days. And I learned a piece that he often performed. And I didn’t know how to perform it.”

“He taught me the game and we ended up incorporating the game into our offense. And we got Rob Gronkowski.”

“In the end, probably half of Gronk’s receiving yards were on that concept. I swear to God. Obviously Gronk is an absolute beast.”

“I say, ‘Thanks, Peyton.’ And Peyton says, ‘I can’t believe you guys took the play.'”

What was the piece? Simple is usually best.

Brady would fake a handoff to attract linebackers, and Gronkowski would find a gap and wait for his good friend to find him.

Brady and Manning had a heated argument for years

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Brady and Manning had a heated argument for yearsPhoto credit: Getty
Gronk benefited from Manning's brilliant play

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Gronk benefited from Manning’s brilliant playPhoto credit: Getty

It wasn’t rocket science, but NFL defenses never found a way to combat it.

Gronkowski recorded 620 catches for 9,275 yards and 93 touchdowns in 141 games with Brady.

Both are Hall of Fame nominees and are now close friends, but things haven’t always been smooth sailing.

Gronk’s first impression of the quarterback, who already had three Super Bowl rings, was that he was an “idiot” before realizing he was just trying to help him reach his potential.

“I had talent. I was tall. I didn’t give a shit. I blocked my face. I ran routes. I was terrible, but at the same time I was really good,” he told People.

“And Tom lit a fire under my butt every day in training.

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“He looked after my case every day. If I wasn’t where I needed to be, he would yell at me, he would yell at me. Just when I’m back in the group.” “

Kelce and Mahomes are bidding to join Brady and Gronk in winning four Super Bowl titles.

The Kansas City Chiefs are 11-1 heading into the playoffs and looking for a three-peat.

Back-to-back Super Bowls is a feat not even the Patriots duo has accomplished and could see Mahomes and Kelce declared the best QB-TE partnership of all time.

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