Rob Gronkowski has reason to celebrate this weekend. The Patriots tight end has been earned a First-Team All-Pro nod, meaning that he will earn the maximum $10.75MM incentive-based salary this season. 
In May, the Patriots and Gronk restructured his deal to incentivize his performance while protecting the team against another injury-marred season. The deal gave him a base salary of $5.25MM with incentive packages at three different tiers:
- A total salary of $10.75MM with either 90% play time or 80 catches or 1,200 receiving yards or an All-Pro nomination.
- A total salary $8.75MM with 80% play time or 70 catches or 1,000 receiving yards or 12 touchdowns.
- A total salary of $6.75MM with 70% play time or 60 receptions or 800 receiving yards or ten touchdowns.
With 1,084 yards (off of 69 receptions with eight touchdowns), Gronkowski satisfied the middle tier requirement. With Friday’s First-Team All-Pro selection, the tight end maxed out his 2017 package.
With a few extra dollars in his pocket, Gronkowski can rest up and get ready for the divisional round of the playoffs. The Patriots’ postseason gets underway on Saturday January 13th against the lowest winning seed from the AFC Wild Card round.
That Gronk, he’s so hot right now! Long live the big tasty pierogi!