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Rob Gronkowski signs monster extension with Patriots; celebrates promptly



Per Boston Globe:

The official numbers are in on the contract extension signed Friday by tight end Rob Gronkowski.

According to a league source, Gronkowski isn’t the league’s highest-paid tight end - but the extension is the richest for a tight end at six years and $54 million. The final $37 million is contingent on the Patriots picking up a $10 million club option by the final day of the 2015 league year (Feb. 28, 2016).

If the Patriots pass on the option, the team can’t place the franchise tag on him.

Including the first two years at his rookie salaries, the total deal is eight years at $55.23 million ($6.9 million average). With the team option, it’s basically two four-year contracts: $18.23 million ($4.557 million average) through ’15; and then $37 million ($9.25 million average) from 2016-19.

Gronkowski might not see free agency until 2020, when he would be 31.

Gronkowski is guaranteed to make $12 million. Another $5 million in 2015 is guaranteed against injury, and then if he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the 2015 league year.

Gronkowski has $30,000 workout bonuses in 2012 and ’13 and $250,000 for 2014-19. That’s an indication the Patriots want to make sure Gronkowski, who is becoming legendary for living life to its fullest in the offseason, continues to be around the facility during offseason workouts.

The deal also includes per-game active roster bonuses totaling $500,000 in 2016 and ’17 ($31,250 per game), and $750,000 ($46,875 per game) in 2018-19. This further insures the Patriots against injury for Gronkowski, who had back surgery his final year in college.

Gronkowski’s salary cap numbers from 2012-19 are: $2.66 million, $2.75 million, $5.4 million, $8.65 million, $6.65 million, $7 million, $11 million, and $12 million.

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