Gronk was in a video last week meeting Triple H and he said he’s on track and should be good to go. I think it’s probably safe to expect him to at least open camp on the PUP list, but how soon he gets off will be up in the air.
It’s a huge year for Gronk, because 2015 is when the big money really kicks in on his new contract. Check this out from Jason LaCanfora:
Gronkowski is set to make $15 million alone in 2015, in the form of $5 million in salary (which is guaranteed only for injury but not for cap or production purposes), as well as a $10 million option bonus that the Patriots could opt to pick up at any point in the 2015 league year. Numerous sources who reviewed this contract said they highly doubt New England picks up that $10 million option, which would make Gronk a free agent. Should New England pick up that bonus, that triggers Gronkowski’s deal from 2016-2019 (worth $27 million).
I don’t think people are making a big enough deal out of this yet, but I’m sure they’ll come around this offseason. The pressure is on Gronk this year and he’s already behind the eight ball because while guys can usually return from an ACL tear in 8-10 months, it really takes until the following season for them to be back to full strength (why Revis should be awesome this year).
So Gronk has something to prove and likely won’t ever be his same old self this season at least. Also wondering if he’ll still have to wear that huge arm brace. If ever there was a year he needed to finish the season healthy this is it.
I would never rule the Gronk out and of course, I am pulling for him. He’s the best tight end in the game, and I bet he could still be the best at 80-90%.
Hopefully we’ll see some Gronk spikes early, often and late in 2014. If not, this really could be his last year as a Patriot.
