DID A NEW RULE LEAD TO GRONK'S CONTRACT RESTRUCTURE?

Gronk "in the zone" painting his masterpiece.

Early this week the NFL owners voted on a few changes which will affect the upcoming season. The Patriots also made a few roster changes including upping Rob Gronkowski's potential paycheck for the 2017 season. I think there might be a small connection between one of the new rule changes and Gronk's new incentives.

Three changes that the owners voted on were:

1. ​shortening overtime to ten minutes
2. having one roster cut during the preseason
3. allowing two players to come off of injured reserve during the season

So far there has been a lot of chatter about the first two changes. While those are both pretty easy changes to discuss, I still find it weird that I'm the only person who thinks the change to timing at the end of halves is going to be huge, but that's ok.

GRONKOWSKI- Rule change number three is the one I think may have contributed to Kraft throwing some added incentives into Gronk's contract. Assuming Gronk can stay healthy for the season, he can be the top paid tight end this season. To see how the restructure is set up, check out Rich Hill's article here.

Why do I think Gronk's restructure may have something to do with the new rule? Well after this season Gronk's salary goes up to $8 million and $9 million respectively. Those are some pretty big numbers assuming he is still on the team. Of course with NFL contracts not being guaranteed and there only being a $4 million dead money hit if the Patriots were to part ways with the fan favorite....that salary could be something they want to walk away from.
As has always been the story with Gronk, if he's healthy he's well worth the money. With the new rule allowing two players to be allowed back on the roster after being on injured reserve, the issue of losing Gronk for the season due to injury is lessened and makes keeping him in a Patriots' uniform in 2018 and 2019 less of a gamble.

Gronk's masterpiece.