Surprise, surprise: The New England Patriots are unlikely to let Rob Gronkowski walk in free agency any time soon.
The Patriots restructured Gronkowski’s contract, a source told ESPN’s Field Yates on Tuesday. The tight end was due a $10 million option at the end of the year that would extend his contract through 2019. If the Patriots elected not to pick up that option, he would have become a free agent next offseason.
The Patriots paid out $4 million of that option, leaving just $6 million to be picked up at the end of the year, further increasing the likelihood it will be accelerated.
Yates reported the restructure “does not have any impact on the team’s salary cap and there are no additional tweaks to the contract for future years.”
Gronkowski stayed healthy for the Patriots’ entire 2014 season, including playoffs, which resulted in the All-Pro tight end having his second best statistical season of his career, catching 82 passes for 1,124 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
