175 replies to this topic

[SoxScout]

The Patriots apparently are giving tight end Rob Gronkowski a few million reasons to dance with his shirt off.

A league source tells PFT that the Patriots and Gronkowski have reached agreement on a contract that would replace the final two seasons of his rookie deal. A second-round pick in 2010, Gronkowski is due to earn $540,000 in 2012 and $575,000 in 2013.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, denies that a deal has been reached.

http://profootballta...-do-a-new-deal/

Edited by SoxScout, 08 June 2012 - 11:27 AM.

[lostjumper]

Makes sense. Give him a raise over the next 2 years to keep off the free agent for hopefully 5-6 years. He's the best TE in football so it's worth it.

[soxhop411]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Filed to ESPN: Patriots and Rob Gronkowksi agree to a six-year, $54 million extension. More on SportsCenter.

[the1andonly3003]

Adam Schefter just tweeted 6yrs $54MM

https://twitter.com/...130862111170561

[CaptainLaddie]

Makes sense. Now lock up Sweetleaf!

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

This makes me happy.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

So how much is guaranteed? Actually, I don't give a shit. This is fantastic news!

[Toe Nash]

Yeah, it could all be guaranteed and I'd agree with the deal. Awesome news.

[EddieYost]

Very cool.

[Seabass177]

When someone basically redefines a position at 22 years old, you should do everything you can to lock him up. Great news.

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

PFT has the contract details surprisingly quick, so I am not sure if I believe them. But here is what they have.

The contract includes an $8 million signing bonus, a fully-guaranteed 2012 base salary of $540,000, a fully-guaranteed 2013 base salary of $630,000, and a fully-guaranteed base salary of $3.75 million in 2014.
He also has workout bonuses of $30,000 in 2012 and 2013, and a guaranteed workout bonus of $250,000 in 2014.
His $4.75 million base salary and $250,000 workout bonus for 2015 are guaranteed for injury prior to end of 2014 league year, then guaranteed fully.
The guarantee on signing is $13.17 million, and another $5 million is guaranteed for injury.

[Fishercat]

Normally I don't like when a team spends a ton of money on a non-QB skill position guy, but let's face it, Gronk's 2011 was probably the best TE season ever, or certainly in the conversation. He's a solid enough blocker and possibly the best non Calvin Johnson target in football. Love this signing and I love that New England took a proactive stance with him.

Edited by Fishercat, 08 June 2012 - 12:23 PM.

[lostjumper]

Great for the Pats and great for Gronk. I'm assuming the 6 years starts now, but since they announce it as an extension its possible its 6 years in addition to the 2 left on his contract. That would be awesome.

[Dick Pole Upside]

A lot of times it's risky to buy an NFL player's jersey with his name on the back due to the short life cycle of a lot of these guys.

I will be purchasing a Gronk #87 shortly. Great news.

[pedroia'sboys]

When someone basically redefines a position at 22 years old, you should do everything you can to lock him up. Great news.

The Patriots dont always pay market value for their players, but when they do they prefer it to be the best TE in football.

[soxfan121]

PFT has the contract details surprisingly quick, so I am not sure if I believe them. But here is what they have.

The contract includes an $8 million signing bonus, a fully-guaranteed 2012 base salary of $540,000, a fully-guaranteed 2013 base salary of $630,000, and a fully-guaranteed base salary of $3.75 million in 2014.
He also has workout bonuses of $30,000 in 2012 and 2013, and a guaranteed workout bonus of $250,000 in 2014.
His $4.75 million base salary and $250,000 workout bonus for 2015 are guaranteed for injury prior to end of 2014 league year, then guaranteed fully.
The guarantee on signing is $13.17 million, and another $5 million is guaranteed for injury.

First, I concur with KFP - this makes me happy.

Second, the guaranteed money seems to be on the low end - with a total (reported) value of $54M, $13M is much lower in guarantees than I would have expected.

[TomRicardo]

Imagine all the Jager shots you can buy with 8 million dollars? WHERE DO I SIGN????

[Old Fart Tree]

So, I guess his ankle is okay.

This makes me erect.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

First, I concur with KFP - this makes me happy.

Second, the guaranteed money seems to be on the low end - with a total (reported) value of $54M, $13M is much lower in guarantees than I would have expected.

I think you can basically consider it $18M guaranteed, since that additional $5M is guaranteed for injury which is by far the most likely reason it would have been withheld. The likelihood of him getting cut over the next three seasons without suffering a career threatening injury are pretty much nil. Your point still stands though, it's definitely much less guaranteed money than I expected. Fantastic deal for the Pats and I imagine Gronk is plenty pleased with it on his end and will be spiking his pen through a desk after signing..

[Ed Hillel]

Wow, amazing deal. If he kept up at this pace for two more years, something like 6/100 with 40+ guaranteed wouldn't have been an unreasonable offer, maybe more.

[TheoShmeo]

What's not to like? Especially on a dreary Celtics Friday.

But what does this mean for Hernandez? Welker? What are the implications beyond Gronk?

[axx]

It's 6 additional years. The Pats also have an $10M option for 2019.

[wutang112878]

If the $8M signing bonus is accurate then this will probably go down as one of the best contract extension in Patriots history. The $8M would be spread across the term of the deal, so in the later years of this deal the cap hit to cut him would be virtually nothing. So if he continues to perform like an elite TE, he gets his salary and the contract is a win win, if he doesnt he gets released with no real major ramifications to the team. This is beyond awesome.

But what does this mean for Hernandez? Welker? What are the implications beyond Gronk?

As for Welker, I am sure he is pissed, but hopefully he realizes that Gronk is so much younger that their situations are very different. If Hernandez continues to play at a high level, this move might allow them to use the franchise tag on him so he doesnt hit free agency.

In the short-term, again if the $8M signing bonus is correct, there is really minimal impact on the cap because while his number will be going up it shouldnt be going up that much in the next 2 years. So I think the ramifications to the team are really more about the long term 3-4+ year range.


I am going to reserve judgement until we get all the details of the deal, but does anyone think that Rosenhaus and/or Gronk sold themselves a little short on this deal? I realize that the new AAV of the future years makes him the top paid TE in the league, but they still get the next 2 years at a bargain basement price, and the signing bonus really isnt that significant. If Gronk continues to be great he is going to get his money, but from a risk perspective it seems as though he took on the majority of it, because they can cut him without a big cap hit, and maybe more importantly this could wrap him up until he is 31 so in essence this is the only 'big' deal he will probably every get.

[CaptainLaddie]

They absolutely sold themselves short on this deal.

Either Drew has lost his touch or Gronk REALLY wants to be a Patriot for the next 8 years.

[phragle]

I need help buying Zubaz.com. Who's with me?


A great off-season gets even better.

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

This is fantastic news. Locking up the 22yr old best TE in the league while keeping it reasonable for both sides. It amazes me how well this team is run when compared to some of the other sideshows around the league, and I find myself saying that often. I'm hoping they got a bitter taste from the Mankins holdout and we never see anything like that again from a Pats standpoint, as far as younger proven players go.

Jager and Zubaz for everyone!

[Dick Pole Upside]

I'm hoping they got a bitter taste from the Mankins holdout and we never see anything like that again from a Pats standpoint, as far as younger proven players go.

Jager and Zubaz for everyone!

<sup>Say What?



I do love the signing. Yo soy fiesta.</sup>

[MarkBT]

This is truly fantastic news. Even though it sets a new 'bar' for long-term TE contracts, I think its more than reasonable now, and will look even more reasonable over the next 5 years (assuming Gronk stays healthy).

If they can get Hernandez looked up for reasonable money, that'd be the next move for me. Personally I think Welker is more replaceable at this point than Sweetleaf...

[Was (Not Wasdin)]

The only way this could get "more better" is if it makes BB decide to stick around to see Gronk through the end of the deal.

[epraz]

I assumed they would let it go another year or two and then it would take around 4/$56 (with 20-25 guaranteed) to sign him.

I like this better.

[DannyHeep]

If the $8M signing bonus is accurate then this will probably go down as one of the best contract extension in Patriots history. The $8M would be spread across the term of the deal, so in the later years of this deal the cap hit to cut him would be virtually nothing. So if he continues to perform like an elite TE, he gets his salary and the contract is a win win, if he doesnt he gets released with no real major ramifications to the team. This is beyond awesome.



As for Welker, I am sure he is pissed, but hopefully he realizes that Gronk is so much younger that their situations are very different. If Hernandez continues to play at a high level, this move might allow them to use the franchise tag on him so he doesnt hit free agency.

In the short-term, again if the $8M signing bonus is correct, there is really minimal impact on the cap because while his number will be going up it shouldnt be going up that much in the next 2 years. So I think the ramifications to the team are really more about the long term 3-4+ year range.


I am going to reserve judgement until we get all the details of the deal, but does anyone think that Rosenhaus and/or Gronk sold themselves a little short on this deal? I realize that the new AAV of the future years makes him the top paid TE in the league, but they still get the next 2 years at a bargain basement price, and the signing bonus really isnt that significant. If Gronk continues to be great he is going to get his money, but from a risk perspective it seems as though he took on the majority of it, because they can cut him without a big cap hit, and maybe more importantly this could wrap him up until he is 31 so in essence this is the only 'big' deal he will probably every get.

I'm not sure that Welker would care about this, it isn't like they broke open the bank for Gronk. This is a deal that really benefits both sides. Gronk locks up money upfront, a couple of years before he normally would and sets himself for life.

He gets to play with one of the greatest QBs of all time with an organization that over the last ten years has been one of the best in football. Good deal for both.

Welker wants top WR money, Gronk didn't get top TE money, he got a middle of the road deal. I think Welker would balk at a deal like this (as he should).

From a "Welker stays" perspective having Gronk around will ultimately help Welker if he stays.

[collings94]

Although Gronk earned his cash, I would have liked to have see another solid season out of him before we locked him up for 6 years. Maybe give him a 3 year deal. How to we know this guy didn't pull a Javon Walker.

[Al Zarilla]

Although Gronk earned his cash, I would have liked to have see another solid season out of him before we locked him up for 6 years. Maybe give him a 3 year deal. How to we know this guy didn't pull a Javon Walker.

Another solid season? Evan Longoria signed a similar time deal with the Tampa Bay Rays within a month after making his major league debut. Once a generation, or whatever, a team knows they have something special. Why wait and lose a guy like Longoria to the Yankees or Gronk to whomever?

[Mystic Merlin]

Although Gronk earned his cash, I would have liked to have see another solid season out of him before we locked him up for 6 years. Maybe give him a 3 year deal. How to we know this guy didn't pull a Javon Walker.

I hate you.

[DegenerateSoxFan]

I (and my avatar) f$#^&(g love this. They are absolutely in win-it-while-Brady's-still-in-his-prime mode. What has me tumescent already is that Belichick finally emptied the clip, so to speak, in the first round to get not one but two guys who could potentially make an immediate impact on defense. That much maligned-defense allowed 10, 20, and 19 points in last year's postseason, and, by the time the super bowl rolled around, was essentially good enough to win a game they win eight or nine times out of ten if Gronk is healthy, or if one or two bad bounces go the other way (sigh). They can re-negotiate this thing three or four years down the road if circumstances so dictate. The offense could be first-half-of-'07 unstoppable, and maybe versatile enough to give opponents fits all the way through the post-season.

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride for the next few years. . .

[bigsid05]

A great deal for both parties and must mean the team expects Gronk to have no problem with the ankle. Assuming Brady plays at this level for at least the next 2-3 years, this is going to be fun.

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

They absolutely sold themselves short on this deal.

Either Drew has lost his touch or Gronk REALLY wants to be a Patriot for the next 8 years.

Gronk hasn't had anything career threatening, but he's been hurt enough to have a sense of how quickly it can be over. It struck me as being akin to Pedroia's deal--they might have left some cash on the table, but it's hard to walk away from the prospect of never having to worry about money again.

[j44thor]

Yeah Gronk doesn't understand the concept of avoiding contact which while exciting for fans tends to not lend itself to a lengthy career. He has already escaped some rather ugly looking plays, namely landing on his neck and coming away unscathed. And of course he didn't have as much luck with Bernard Pollard as he attempted to drag him for a ride. Add in the contact from his suberb run blocking and I won't be the least bit surprised if he only completes 50% of the contract.

It is a bit of a risk on both sides which is ultimately the sign of a fair deal. I think the injury guarantee portion of the contract is probably what makes it a better deal than it appears at first blush for Gronk.

[DegenerateSoxFan]

I'm not sure that Welker would care about this, it isn't like they broke open the bank for Gronk. This is a deal that really benefits both sides. Gronk locks up money upfront, a couple of years before he normally would and sets himself for life.

From a "Welker stays" perspective having Gronk around will ultimately help Welker if he stays.

This. Welker's made his own risk assessment,and I'd have to agree that $9.5 million guaranteed he took for the tag isn't a bad hedge against a serious injury. It's certainly enough scharro, even after the government get its considerable taste, to set up a guy for life if he's reasonably smart with his money. Plus, he gets another prime shot at a ring. Shit, if Brandon Lloyd plays like we think he might, the Pats' receiving corp could be ridiculous.

[Sports Illustrator]

Good, never want him anywhere near free agency.

[Morning Woodhead]

Although Gronk earned his cash, I would have liked to have see another solid season out of him before we locked him up for 6 years. Maybe give him a 3 year deal. How to we know this guy didn't pull a Javon Walker.

First Game 6, now you're shitting on Gronk. You've done enough damage.

[Beomoose]

Need more sports news like this, the long may the Gronk era last.

I hate you.

I agree with this post.

[DannyHeep]

First Game 6, now you're shitting on Gronk. You've done enough damage.

That isn't an unreasonable position. There have been plenty of one year wonders, and he is coming off of an injury. I don't agree with it, but it is a reasonable thought process.

[Shelterdog]

That isn't an unreasonable position. There have been plenty of one year wonders, and he is coming off of an injury. I don't agree with it, but it is a reasonable thought process.

He may be right but he's still an asshole.

Also the guaranties aren't that large so there is a reasonable amount of protection for the Pats if he does get hurt. Here's an article laying out the contract. It's fairly team friendly from an injury standpoint.



http://www.nyjetscap...es/gronkext.php

Edited by Shelterdog, 10 June 2012 - 02:17 PM.

[NortheasternPJ]

That isn't an unreasonable position. There have been plenty of one year wonders, and he is coming off of an injury. I don't agree with it, but it is a reasonable thought process.

The problem is its really 2 four year contracts. They can walk away after the fourth year. This contract is good for everyone. Gronk is set for life and the Pats got a better deal than playing it out.

[Ed Hillel]

That isn't an unreasonable position. There have been plenty of one year wonders, and he is coming off of an injury. I don't agree with it, but it is a reasonable thought process.

One year wonders? It was Gronk's second season, and he was beastly his rookie year as well. Ignoring health, there is really nothing at all to suggest that Gronk won't be elite for the next 5+ years.

[DannyHeep]

Like I said, I don't agree, but wanting one more year before you lock someone in for 6 years isn't unreasonable.

[j44thor]

Like I said, I don't agree, but wanting one more year before you lock someone in for 6 years isn't unreasonable.

And if he approaches what he did last season then the contract he is looking for is probably 2X since he will have only 1yr left on his contract.
It is nearly unprecedented for the Pats to extend a rookie with 2yrs left on the contract. It also doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that both his pass catching and blocking skills are close to elite and unlikely to diminish for anything other than injury.

The only people that should be unhappy with this signing are the Borges and CHB of the world because now they can't mail in an article about how cheap the Pats are.

[DannyHeep]

Pass catching was at an elite level for sure. Blocking skills at an elite level? Do we know that for sure or are you just throwing that stat out there?

Unlikely to diminish except for injury. Which Gronk currenly is coming back from. There is risk here, which was his true point. Again I think it was a good deal for both sides.

This contract is right down the middle for value, not sure it says anything about how cheap/not cheap the Pats are.

[Mystic Merlin]

Pass catching was at an elite level for sure. Blocking skills at an elite level? Do we know that for sure or are you just throwing that stat out there?

Unlikely to diminish except for injury. Which Gronk currenly is coming back from. There is risk here, which was his true point. Again I think it was a good deal for both sides.

This contract is right down the middle for value, not sure it says anything about how cheap/not cheap the Pats are.

I agree with this. Both sides are incurring some risk (Gronk may be underpaid per the market, and the Pats may not get their value from a guy who - let's face it - is only 2 years into an NFL career), while potentially gaining value/security (Pats could get a monster for a below-market contract, and Gronk could bank about 20M without ever again approaching his 2011 season).

This isn't a slam dunk - no K is, IMO - but it's as good as you could have expected.