The New England Patriots paid Rob Gronkowski $4 million from a $10 million option bonus for 2016.

The Patriots have until the end of the 2015 league year to decide whether to officially exercise that team option.

“It’s a great feeling,” Gronkowski said. “I just want to thank Mr. (Bob) Kraft (the team owner), coach (Bill) Belichick and the New England Patriots organization. They’re first class to always deal with. It is what it is now. It’s time to put that behind you and just play football now.”

Gronkowski’s six-year contract extension with $54 million in new money has been viewed as two deals all along. He got an immediate win with an $8 million signing bonus in 2012 that nearly doubled the total dollars of his four-year rookie deal, and he’ll earn $25 million in cash in 2015 if the Patriots exercise the option.