Patriots give Gronkowski $54 million extension

[ThomasTomasz]

NEW YORK (AP) All-Pro Rob Gronkowski agreed Friday to a $54 million deal with the New England Patriots, the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history.

The six-year deal includes $18.17 million guaranteed. It is a stunning move by the team for a player entering just his third NFL season, but the Patriots recognized the game-breaking skills of the record-setting Gronkowski.

''This is a rare deal,'' said Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski's agent. ''Thanks to Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick.''

Gronkowski set a league record for the position with 17 touchdown catches in 2011. He also had a record 1,327 yards, and made 90 receptions.
Gronkowski is coming off left ankle surgery, an injury that slowed him in New England's loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

''He broke every record last year and it's just a remarkable story,'' Gronkowski's father, Gord, said Friday. ''And you know, there in Arizona we didn't know if was going to play any more when he had his back surgery (in college). And now, it's a great story. He's out there now and everything's well and he's ripping it up.''

Gronkowski, selected in the second round in 2010, had two more years left on his contract. Yet New England ripped it up, or rather added on to his rookie deal so Gronkowski will be with the team through the 2019 season.

The 23-year-old Gronkowski was virtually uncoverable while healthy last season. He combined with fellow second-year tight end Aaron Hernandez and slot receiver Wes Walker - the league's leading pass catcher - to help New England go 13-3 and score an AFC-high 513 points.

Gord Gronkowski said the big money won't change his son in the least.

''No, Rob is Rob. He still to this day will wear jeans that he had in high school, and shirts that he had in high school,'' he said. ''We're not flashy people. And that's Rob all the way. The money, it's nice, don't get me wrong, but it will not change him. Rob will always be Rob the goofball.''

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pats-p...2--nfl.html;_ylt=ArmhFqWAW7gCwcAjAeTVuVlDubYF

 

[Herm]

I always look at these deals and say "okay its an 18M deal with options for the pats on the rest of the years". The big numbers are just there to make the agents look good to the next potential client.

Colts signed Peyton to a "5 year 90M contract" and dropped him a year later.

 

[Rudi]

 

[Herm]

thats the goto pic when people have accused him of being gay, if being gay means dicking down porn stars then so be it.

 

[BigBucs]

and

Grow the hair back Gronk. Looking like a white supremacist, much like JTC.

 

[EmpireWF]

thats the goto pic when people have accused him of being gay, if being gay means dicking down porn stars then so be it.

Why would anyone accuse him of being gay?

 

[JOHNNYTHECLOWN]

I always look at these deals and say "okay its an 18M deal with options for the pats on the rest of the years". The big numbers are just there to make the agents look good to the next potential client.

Colts signed Peyton to a "5 year 90M contract" and dropped him a year later.

This "extension" works out for the team as much as it works for Gronk... the he's locked up for a good long time, and if anything happens to him injury wise the team has a back up net... I like it a lot

 

[PP]

and

Grow the hair back Gronk. Looking like a white supremacist, much like JTC.

He had the buzz cut for some Cancer Buzz Off event. Gronk is a caring person.

 

[SuperKevin]

Mr Gronkowski has super genetics. Doesn't he have like 5 professional athletes for kids?

 

[PP]

Has 3 NFL players I believe.. even if the other 2 blow.

 

[ralaw]

I believe one of the Gronk kids plays professional (semi pro) baseball.

 

[jms493]

I want to see these parents....must be some super sperm and eggs!

 

[Senser81]

I want to see these parents....must be some super sperm and eggs!

 

[ram29jackson]

maybe he can spend some of the money on dancing lessons ?

it doesnt matter though, the Pats wont get back in the SB wih Brady ever again.. that chapter is closed