FOXBORO -- Rob Gronkowski, who was recently made $4 million richer, thanked Patriots chairman and CEO Robert Kraft as well as coach Bill Belichick after Tuesday's training camp practice.
Earlier in the day, it had been reported that the Patriots tight end was paid a portion of a $10 million option bonus early. The bonus, if paid in full before the end of the 2015 league year, will kick in a four-year contract option that will keep Gronkowski in New England through 2019.
"It’s a great feeling," Gronkowski said. "I just want to thank Mr. Kraft, coach Belichick and the New England Patriots organization. They’re first class to always deal with. It is what it is now. It’s time to put that behind you and just play football now."
Gronkowski has looked strong during New England's first five days of training camp practice, capitalizing on the fact that he's able to go through camp fully healthy for the first time in a long time. Coming off of a Super Bowl-winning season and a unanimous All-Pro selection, it's a virtual guarantee that the Patriots will pay Gronkowski the $6 million remaining on the bonus to keep him around for four more seasons after this one.
"Ever since I was drafted," Gronkowski said, "it’s an unbelievable feeling coming here, coming out to practice every single day and putting that jersey on."
Given Tuesday's news, it's looking very likely that he'll be putting that jersey on for a long, long time.