Tight end Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots have made strides toward a new contract, to the point where it’s now likely Gronk will play the 2018 season under new terms, according to a source.



It wasn’t disclosed if Gronkowski will sign an extension or simply earn a raise, either incentive-based or of a more straightforward nature. But since Gronk informed Bill Belichick last month of his decision to play this fall, the Gronkowski camp and the Patriots have worked toward a contract resolution. The tenor of those discussions has been positive.



Gronkowski is signed through the 2019 season. He is currently set to earn up to $9 million this season ($8 million base salary, $750,000 per-game roster bonuses and a $250,000 workout bonus) and $10 million in 2019 ($9 million base plus the same $1 million in bonuses).



Gronkowski earned $10,194,380 last season, including $5.5 million in incentives for being a first team All-Pro. Gronk and the Patriots reworked...