the Talking Can
08-27-2012, 12:54 PM
both TE's locked up
The contract is expected to be signed in the next 24 hours. The Boston Globe reported the deal has a maximum value of $40 million and includes a $12.5 million signing bonus.
All-Pro Rob Gronkowski agreed in June to a six-year, $53 million extension, the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history. Gronkowski's contract includes a $10 million option -- if exercised by the Patriots in 2015 -- that would extend it through 2019.
The 22-year-old Hernandez, who like Gronkowski is entering his third NFL season, caught 79 passes for 910 yards last season, third on the team behind Gronkowski's 1,327 and Wes Welker's 1,569.
Hernandez averaged 11.5 yards per reception with seven touchdowns in 2011. At the end of the 2011 season, Hernandez's offensive role expanded to include aligning as a running back. He finished with eight carries for 70 yards during the Patriots' playoff run to Super Bowl XLVI.
This preseason, Hernandez has even fielded punts for the team, returning one punt for five yards in the team's recent 30-28 loss to the Buccaneers.
With Hernandez signed through 2018, the Patriots now have eight core offensive players under contract through at least the 2014 season.
Hernandez's deal, however, casts further doubt on the long-term status of Welker.
The receiver signed a $9.5 million franchise tender in May. Last month, he arrived at training camp saying it was great to be back and that he was not disappointed at not locking up a long-term deal.
http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/8306183/new-england-patriots-tight-end-aaron-hernandez-agree-extension-sources-say
The contract is expected to be signed in the next 24 hours. The Boston Globe reported the deal has a maximum value of $40 million and includes a $12.5 million signing bonus.
All-Pro Rob Gronkowski agreed in June to a six-year, $53 million extension, the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history. Gronkowski's contract includes a $10 million option -- if exercised by the Patriots in 2015 -- that would extend it through 2019.
The 22-year-old Hernandez, who like Gronkowski is entering his third NFL season, caught 79 passes for 910 yards last season, third on the team behind Gronkowski's 1,327 and Wes Welker's 1,569.
Hernandez averaged 11.5 yards per reception with seven touchdowns in 2011. At the end of the 2011 season, Hernandez's offensive role expanded to include aligning as a running back. He finished with eight carries for 70 yards during the Patriots' playoff run to Super Bowl XLVI.
This preseason, Hernandez has even fielded punts for the team, returning one punt for five yards in the team's recent 30-28 loss to the Buccaneers.
With Hernandez signed through 2018, the Patriots now have eight core offensive players under contract through at least the 2014 season.
Hernandez's deal, however, casts further doubt on the long-term status of Welker.
The receiver signed a $9.5 million franchise tender in May. Last month, he arrived at training camp saying it was great to be back and that he was not disappointed at not locking up a long-term deal.
http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/8306183/new-england-patriots-tight-end-aaron-hernandez-agree-extension-sources-say