Kraft: Patriots' Christian Gonzalez Has Offer to Be 'Highest-Paid' Cornerback Ever
Owner Robert Kraft says New England has put the largest contract in franchise history on the table for its Pro Bowl corner, who is eligible for an extension for the first time.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the team has made an offer to cornerback Christian Gonzalez that would "make him the highest-paid player to ever play that position in the NFL," calling it the largest contract in franchise history. Gonzalez, entering his fourth season after New England took him 17th overall in 2023, is eligible for a contract extension for the first time.
What is the market for top cornerbacks right now?
Contracts for elite cornerbacks now average more than $30 million per season. The Los Angeles Rams set the current bar in March when they signed Trent McDuffie to a four-year, $124 million deal, making him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. Kraft's comments suggest New England's offer to Gonzalez would top that mark, though the club has not released specific terms.
Where do negotiations stand?
Gonzalez and the Patriots have been negotiating a long-term deal for months. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract and is set to earn a base salary of $2.259 million this season, a sharp contrast to the record-setting extension now reportedly on the table. No agreement has been finalized.
Is he alone in seeking a market-setting deal?
Gonzalez shares an agent with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who is also eligible for his first extension this offseason and is expected to command a top-of-market deal of his own. The two situations are likely to be watched together as cornerback prices continue climbing across the league.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Kraft: Patriots' Gonzalez has offer to be 'highest-paid' CB ever
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