Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Reaction

Hours before the deadline to get a deal done, the New England Patriots and franchise-tagged kicker Stephen Gostkowski agreed to terms on a new contract Wednesday.   

Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe reported the two sides reached an agreement on an extension. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the contract details:

Of course, the franchise tag wouldn't have been a bad alternative for Gostkowski. He would have made $4.58 million under the one-year commitment, but this is a better deal for the player.

That franchise number, per B/R's Brag Gagnon, would have given Gostkowski financial bragging rights over some well-established NFL stars:

Even though the four-year deal does lower Gostkowski's average salary to $4.3 million, he's still keeping good company. 

NFL kickers don't get a lot of publicity, unless they miss a big kick, but Gostkowski has been one of the league's best since taking over for Adam Vinatieri in 2006. The 31-year-old has led the NFL in field goals made three times, including each of the last two years. 

In nine seasons, Gostkowski ranks third in NFL history, making 86.8 percent of his field-goal attempts. The Patriots were able to get a deal done with one of their most consistent assets, and now, they don't have anything to worry about at the kicker spot for the next four seasons. 

That's a huge luxury every NFL team would love to have as training camps get set to open. The Patriots are often shrewd in their handling of veteran players and long-term extensions, but this is a case of the team knowing how valuable Gostkowski is and taking care of him. 

Stats via Pro-Football-Reference.com.