The New England Patriots are not expected to use their franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

This does not mean that Gostkowski is a goner, however, as Rapoport adds that the Patriots do want him back.

Gostkowski is coming off of a season in which he made 27 of his 32 field-goal attempts and converted 49 of his 50 extra points. He also made five of his six field goals in the playoffs.

The 35-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Memphis, was originally selected by New England in the fourth round (118th pick overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.

He entered the league with some big shoes to fill, as Gostkowski was the Patriots' replacement for legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri.

The Baton Rouge, La. native struggled a bit in his first season, going just 20-for-26 on field goals, but two years later, Gostkowski was a Pro Bowler after making 36 of his 40 field-goal tries. He also earned a First-Team All-Pro selection that season.

Overall, Gostkowski has made four trips to Honolulu and has been named a First-Team All-Pro twice, with his second selection coming in 2015 when he nailed 33 of his 36 field goals and went 4-of-5 from 50 yards or longer, including a 57-yard boot.

Gostkowski has also been brilliant throughout his playoff career, drilling 39 of his 44 field-goal attempts.

The Patriots won 11 games and captured their 10th consecutive AFC East division title this past season. They then went on to win their sixth Super Bowl title in spite of incessant media doubt all season long.