Patriots, Christian Gonzalez Reportedly Had "Preliminary" Extension Talks
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The New England Patriots and Christian Gonzalez reportedly took the first step toward discussing a long-term agreement.
New England and Gonzalez had "preliminary conversations" about a contract extension during the NFL Scouting Combine, per Henry McKenna of Fox Sports. The star cornerback is eligible for a new deal after completing his third season.
Gonzalez received his first Pro Bowl invite last season, defending 10 passes in 14 regular-season games. He allowed 45 completions on 84 targets as the primary defender for 508 yards.
Gonzalez may have earned more money during a standout postseason. The 23-year-old broke up seven passes in four games, including three in a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The former first-round pick recorded a sack and an interception in an AFC Championship Game victory over the Denver Broncos before helping contain Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba to 27 yards on 10 targets. Seattle signed the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year to a four-year, $168.6 million extension, reported Monday by ESPN's Adam Schefter, making him the highest-paid wide receiver ever.
Gonzalez could be next in line for a huge payday. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently expressed interest in retaining Gonzalez beyond 2026.
"It's no secret we'd like to keep Christian Gonzalez," Wolf said on March 12, per Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi. "And I don't know what the timing of that is, but that's something that certainly we're preparing for."
If no extension is reached beforehand, the Patriots would likely exercise a fifth-year option to keep Gonzalez through the 2027 campaign. He would make $18.12 million if New England goes that route before the May 1 deadline.
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