Report: Pats to keep Gronkowski through 2019

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The Patriots have locked up the game's best tight end through the 2019 season.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media has reported that Rob Gronkowski would be paid the remaining $6 million of a $10 million option bonus before Mar. 9, the start of the 2016 league year, which will prevent him from hitting free agency.

The $10 million option that will keep Gronkowski in New England for the next four seasons was included as part of the extension that was agreed upon between Gronkowski and the team back in 2012.

The Patriots paid Gronkowski $4 million of the $10 million option bonus before the start of last season, which all but guaranteed that they would pick up the remainder of his option before the deadline.

The bonus promised Gronkowski a good-sized payout if he could remain healthy, and it provided the Patriots with an out had health issues derailed what at the time appeared to be an incredibly promising career.

In 2012 and 2013, Gronkowski's seasons were cut short by injuries, but he missed just two games in each of the last two years. He was named a First Team All-Pro in both 2014 and 2015, and he was one of the driving forces behind the franchise's fourth Super Bowl title run.

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