The ongoing back-and-forth between WWE star Logan Paul and figures from the NFL continues to escalate, with Rob Gronkowski the latest to respond to Paul’s challenge. The situation, sparked by Tom Brady’s comments on professional wrestling, has quickly moved from playful jabs to a potential physical confrontation, with Gronkowski openly accepting a fight with Paul.
The initial friction stemmed from Brady’s assessment of WWE as “cute” and “not real” during an appearance on Paul’s “imPAULsive” podcast. This comment ignited a response from Paul, who challenged any NFL player to a $1 million boxing match. After a planned bout with former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell fell through – Paul citing a WWE contract conflict – he called out Gronkowski, prompting a swift and forceful response from the former tight end.
Gronkowski addressed the situation on the “Up & Adams” show with NFL host/analyst Kay Adams, expressing his disbelief at how Paul handled the cancelled fight with Bell. “Yeah, well, I saw Logan just duck Le’Veon Bell,” Gronkowski said, according to The Sporting News. “They were supposed to fight…Logan Paul had the WWE owner call him and say, oh, you can’t do it. I just sense like he backed out, and that was just his excuse.” Gronkowski went on to call Paul’s explanation “the biggest crap of all time.”
The tension deepened as Paul referenced previous boxing matches involving Gronkowski’s brothers, suggesting Gronk himself had avoided stepping into the ring with his family. Gronkowski clarified that he hadn’t participated because he was actively playing in the NFL at the time, but emphasized that was no longer a constraint. “Paul boxed Gronkowski’s brothers and called out Gronk for not getting in the ring with his family,” Bleacher Report noted.
Gronkowski Issues Direct Challenge
Gronkowski didn’t hesitate to issue his own challenge, stating, “If Logan Paul wants a piece of me, we are both playing in the flag football game on March 21. I’m down to throw on the field, and even throw my fists, go all out brawl on the flag football field. I will fight him on the field if he wants to fight me.” This direct response signals Gronkowski’s willingness to engage with Paul, even in a less formal setting like the upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
The situation began after Brady’s comments on the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Saudi Arabia, where he expressed concern about the level of competition Paul would face. “It’s cute, I love WWE, it’s very cute, but honestly, this is like real football, real competition,” Brady said, as reported by Sports Illustrated. This seemingly innocuous remark quickly spiraled into a series of challenges and accusations.
Paul, known for his willingness to push boundaries, responded with a broad challenge to NFL players, offering $1 million to anyone willing to box him. “There’s a clip out there of him [Tom Brady] calling me a b—-… If any of the football players wish to fight, we’ll see what happens. I would throttle Myles Garrett,” Paul stated, according to multiple reports. He then named several other NFL players, including Pula Nakua, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Sam Darnold.
What’s Next for Gronkowski and Paul?
As of March 11, 2026, there is no officially scheduled fight between Rob Gronkowski and Logan Paul. However, the animosity between the two, coupled with Paul’s history with the WWE, has led to speculation about a potential match at WrestleMania 42. The WWE’s involvement in halting the Bell fight certainly adds fuel to that possibility. While a boxing match remains a possibility, a wrestling match within the WWE framework seems increasingly likely, given Paul’s current contract and the promotional opportunities it presents.
The upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 will undoubtedly be a focal point, as both Gronkowski and Paul are scheduled to participate. Whether the tension will boil over into a physical altercation on the field remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a potentially explosive encounter. The situation continues to develop, and fans will be watching closely to see if this rivalry extends beyond verbal sparring.
What do you think will happen between Gronkowski and Paul? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
