Gronk deal could be steal for Pats

What in the world is going on in New England? A team long known for playing hardball at the negotiating table (see: Welker, Wes and Mankins, Logan) has not only opened the vault early for a player with two seasons left on his rookie contract, it has done it by signing a 23-year-old to a record-setting deal -- at tight end of all positions.

Five years ago this contract would have been unthinkable in the NFL. But you know what? The pass-happy New England Patriots may be laughing all the way to the bank, along with Rob Gronkowski and his $54 million.

To see why Gronk's record contract could still be a steal for the Pats, plus gain access to all of Insider's NFL content, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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