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The New England Patriots and Pro Bowl tight end Aaron Hernandez have reached agreement on a long-term contract extension, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer.
A fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Florida in 2010, Hernandez has started 19 of 28 games over his first two seasons and has 124 receptions for 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight rushing attempts for 92 yards.
Hernandez, who turns 23 in November, has two years remaining on his four-year, $2.785 million rookie contract. Prior to Monday's extension, Hernandez was scheduled to earn $540,000 in base salary with an additional $104,000 available in per-game roster bonuses this season. Hernandez was also scheduled to earn the league minimum base salary ($630,000) with an additional $200,000 available in roster and workout bonuses in 2013.
Hernandez and fellow 2010 draft pick Rob Gronkowski have combined to form one the most productive tight end duos in National Football League history, though the versatile Hernandez frequently lines up at wide receiver and even running back. The multiple ways New England deploys Hernandez, combined with the fact that receivers are paid more handsomely than tight ends, reportedly might have resulted in his agent, David Dunn, pushing for Hernandez to be qualified as a wide receiver, not a tight end if the Patriots designated him as their franchise player in 2014.
The new extension makes that issue moot.
Gronkowski, also a Pro Bowl pick in 2011, signed a six-year, $54 million contract extension in June.
Aaron Hernandez, Patriots agree to long-term deal | News | NFL.com
