Bucs quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski are one of the most prolific duos the NFL has ever seen. And throughout league history, there have been some great quarterback-receiver connections. Dan Marino and Mark Clayton. Steve Young and Jerry Rice. Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates.

But the Bucs’ pair has passed them all in the record books for most touchdowns by a quarterback-pass catcher combo in NFL history. Sitting at 90 total scores, Brady and Gronkowski have one tandem left to catch: Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison. That’s a goal Gronk has been vocal about accomplishing.

“Oh, no doubt, and they’re both at a really high level right now,” Arians said. “That chemistry – that takes time to build, and when you get it – you know, I saw it with Peyton [Manning] and Marvin [Harrison] and [Philip] Rivers and [Antonio] Gates – the guy turns around, there’s the ball. They just look at each other and they know what they want. It doesn’t have to be the play called, just go beat the guy that’s trying to guard you. But, yeah, it’s really fun to watch.”

The move to acquire Gronkowski didn’t immediately pay off for Tampa. It took a few games for Gronkowski to get into football shape and get his legs underneath him. There were even times when he and Brady seemed to be out of sync last season. Brady missed the big tight end on several deep throws, and Gronkowski worked through a few drops and imperfect routes as well.

But the two righted the ship when it matter most connecting for several touchdowns down the stretch and capping it off with a two “tuddie” performance in the Super Bowl. Gronkowski’s prowess as a blocker helped pave the way for Leonard Fournette to become “Playoff Lenny.” The un-retirement was successful! Brady and Gronk were Super Bowl champs once again.

A Vintage Set

Fast forward to this year, and the pair has been on fire since Week 1. Brady and Gronk connected for four touchdowns in the team’s first two games. The run came to a halt in Week 3, when Gronkowski injured his ribs and went on to miss the next six games. His first game back saw the two pick up right where they left off. With 71 yards against the Giants, Gronk was back. The next week he racked up a Buc-high 123 yards versus the Colts. This past Sunday, Gronkowski scored two more touchdowns against the Falcons, running his season total to six.

In the absence of Antonio Brown, Gronkowski has been a massive difference maker for the Bucs over the past three weeks. He and Brady continue to defy age and time, which is carrying the Bucs offense to new heights in 2021.