Aaron Hernandez will be in a Patriots uniform through the 2018 season after agreeing to a five-year, $40 million extension with the franchise that drafted him.

Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski form one of the best tight end combinations in NFL history.

Hernandez will receive a $12.5 million signing bonus, bringing guaranteed money in the deal to $16.4 million.

"He changed my life," Hernandez said of owner Robert Kraft. "[The contract shows] he trusts me to make me the right decision [and it] means a lot."

As for Bill Belichick, Hernandez was again effusive in his praise. 

"You get changed by the Bill Belichick way, you get changed by the Patriot Way." Hernandez said.