The New England Patriots have had issues with tight ends all offseason with Rob Gronkowski going through multiple surgeries and now they have another issue, as Aaron Hernandez is being investigated in connection with a murder case, as a man who died is an "associate" of Hernandez.

According to ESPN.com, police searched his home in North Attleboro on Tuesday for his connection to the case and that authorities will also interview the tight end. A report from ABC says that he has been "uncooperative", but that he is not a suspect. The report says that the search lasted two hours and that two friends who were in the house tried to leave but were stopped. ESPN reports that officers took a box from the house and while he hasn't been named a suspect, a rental vehicle with Rhode Island plates was what led the authorities to the tight end.

The investigation stated when police found a body of a 27-year-old man and the Patriots did not comment publically apart from a boilerplate PR statement. "I am aware of the reports, but I do not anticipate that we will be commenting publicly during an ongoing police investigation," Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.

Hernandez is one of the most important players for the Patriots and he has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career. He missed time last season with an injury and he recently signed a five-year contract extension worth $40 million and he has been teamed up with Gronkowski to form a great tight end duo for New England.

"Aaron's improved a lot," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said at the time. "He's worked hard, he's improved a lot in all phases of the game -- the passing game, the running game, protection and his overall versatility. He's doing a good job for us."