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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski made headlines immediately after last season’s Super Bowl, when he did not fully commit to returning in 2018. Despite the wave of rumors and speculation this kicked off, though, he ultimately was back on the practice fields for the mandatory portion of the Patriots’ spring and summer workout sessions. And from that point on it was business as usual for the NFL’s best tight end.
The actual business was taken care of today. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gronkowski and the Patriots agreed to a restructured contract:
Patriots reworked TE Rob Gronkowski’s contract, adding $4.3 million to his contract this year, per @RosenhausSports Added $1 million in per game bonuses and $3.3 million in incentives, boosting max value to $13.050 million. Similar to Tom Brady structure.
Schefter also shared additional details about the structure:
Rob Gronkowski now can earn $1.1 million for 70 or more catches, $1.1M for 80 percent playtime, $1.1M for nine or more TD catches, $1.1M for 1,085 receiving yards. He can make three of those four, boosting salary another $3.3M. Base salary remains 8M. Still has two years left.
Last season Gronkowski recorded 69 receptions, 1,084 yards, and 8 touchdowns so he will be rewarded for having a superior season in 2018. He also played 79.3% of possible snaps last year, so hopefully he can earn that $1.1 million bonus. Given last year’s numbers, Gronkowski’s bonus money is classified not likely to be earned – which means it will not hit the Patriots’ salary cap just yet.
The new deal is built similar to the contract restructure Gronkowski and the Patriots agreed to last offseason: if the NFL’s best tight end stays healthy and produces at his usual levels, he should be able to at least hit some of the incentives built in his new deal. Certainly a good move for both the player and the team: Gronkowski can earn additional money, while New England will gladly spend it if it means that the tight end puts up big numbers.