Patriots Reportedly Sign Gostkowski To 4-Year Deal
BOSTON (CBS) -- The New England Patriots and kicker Stephen Gostkowski have beat the franchise tag deadline, reportedly agreeing to a long-term contract.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, it's a four-year deal worth roughly $17 million.
The franchise tag would have paid Gostkowski $4.1 million for the 2015 season.
The Patriots drafted Gostkowski in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft to replace Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri. Gostkowski has filled those shoes well over his nine seasons in New England, hitting 243 of his 280 field goal attempts, and is just 20 shy of Vinatieri's franchise record.
This past season, Gostkowski successfully kicked 35 of his 37 field-goal attempts, good for a career-high 94.6 percent success rate. He was not called upon much in the postseason, going 1-for-1, bringing his career playoff total to 20-for-22.
In New England's Week 15 win over the Miami Dolphins, Gostkowski became the Patriots' all-time leading scorer with 1,179 points, surpassing Vinatieri's old mark in just his 134th game as a Patriot.
Gostkowski has been named to three Pro Bowls during his career.
