Rob Gronkowski is reportedly sitting out the first day of Patriots voluntary offseason workouts in Foxboro on Monday. New reports suggest that it’s about his contract.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported on Sunday that Gronkowski’s absence from Patriots workouts is because he desires a reworked contract. It follows a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN that Gronkowski is still considering whether he’ll play football in 2018. However, Howe’s sources suggest that Gronkowski has been interested in a pay-bump since the end of the 2017 season.
The 2017 First Team All-Pro tight end is due an $8 million base salary in 2018. He can also earn up to $750,000 in per-game roster bonuses ($46,875 per game) and $250,000 in workout bonuses, which he will take a step toward sacrificing on Monday. If he attends at least 33 of the team’s remaining 35 offseason workouts after Monday, he will earn the $250,000 bonus on August 1.
Rob Gronkowski looks on during the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Schefter also said that Gronkowski has had “good communication” with the Patriots this offseason. In addition, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reported on Sunday that some of the communication has focused on Gronkowski’s contract.
The Patriots restructured Gronkowski’s contract in 2017, which allowed him to earn over $10 million. He earned the maximum $5.5 million in incentives after earning First Team All-Pro honors.
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