Rob Gronkowski, Patriots agree to restructured contract
The New England Patriots have reportedly been working on restructuring Rob Gronkowski’s contract throughout the offseason, and the tight end has finally secured his raise.
Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus told Adam Schefter on Thursday that Gronk and the Patriots have agreed to a new contract. The reworked deal gives Gronkowski the ability to earn up to $4.3 million more in 2018, with most of that coming via incentives.
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. pic.twitter.com/XYy6xIg5Iu— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2018
Here's a look at the new incentives in detail:
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.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2018
The Patriots worked out a similar restructure with Tom Brady earlier in the offseason, so their two most important offensive players should be a little happier heading into the regular season.
Gronkowski, 29, is the most dominant tight end in football when healthy. He has posted four seasons of 1,000 yards or more and has 76 touchdowns in 102 career games. He's signed through next season, though he will likely be looking for an extension or a third consecutive restructure after 2018.