It took a $5.5 million incentive-triggering First-Team All-Pro selection, but Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski earned $10,187,500 last season. The honor was the only checked box in the final tier of an incentive structure added to the veteran’s contract last May to help align his earnings with his level of play.
Yet, after a year in which he was deemed the best in the game at his position, he’s scheduled to earn $1,187,500 less in 2018, while free agents like Trey Burton and Jimmy Graham secured large contracts for themselves this offseason.