Projecting a solution the contract situation between Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots

It took a $5.5 million incentive-triggering First-Team All-Pro selection, but Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski earned $10,187,500 last season. The honor was the only checked box in the final tier of an incentive structure added to the veteran’s contract last May to help align his earnings with his level of play.

Yet, after a year in which he was deemed the best in the game at his position, he’s scheduled to earn $1,187,500 less in 2018, while free agents like Trey Burton and Jimmy Graham secured large contracts for themselves this offseason. Gronkowski’s deal now ranks fourth in average per-year value among tight ends. Between the 2018 and 2019 seasons — the final two in which Gronkowski is…