New England Patriots: Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski Duo Guaranteed Through 2018 Season with Hernandez's Extension

By Alek Frost
Senior Writer

Aaron Hernandez‘s five-year, $40 million contract extension, guarantees New England the Hernandez-Rob Gronkowski duo through the 2018 season.

Which is terrific news for All-Pro and future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, who relied heavily on the pair last season. Hernandez and Gronkowski combined for 169 receptions, 2,237 yards receiving and 24 touchdowns in 2011.

The New England Patriots’ two-headed monster at tight end started a trend league-wide, and gives the team a distinct advantage down the middle of field, underneath and in the running game as well. Hernandez and Gronkowski’s athleticism not only creates matchup problems in the passing game, it gives the Patriots the personel to run or pass at a moment’s notice.

Unlike most offenses who spread it out, New England doesn’t need four wide receivers on the field. In Hernandez and Gronk, they have two big-bodied tight ends who are far more effective than your average 190-pound receiver, when run blocking.

At 22 and 23 respectively, Hernandez and Gronkowski, barring major injury, should roam the Patriots’ sideline for the rest of this decade and possibility into the next. 

Hernandez is the least heralded of the two, but provides the Patriots versatility as well as a reliable receiver, and is crucial to New England’s offense. The third-year tight end out of Florida showed his gratitude to the Kraft family after signing the extension, by giving $50,000 to the Myra Kraft Foundation, named in honor of owner Robert Kraft‘s wife, who passed away last July.

Follow Alek on Twitter: @Alek_Frost

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