Patriots Hit With Truth Bomb Over Christian Gonzalez Standoff

Former NFL coach Mike Smith expects the New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez to finish a long-term contract soon, even as talks have dragged into the start of the season.

The Patriots head into their Week 1 game against the Seattle Seahawks with most of their offseason work complete. Gonzalez’s extension is the clear exception.

Gonzalez was the 17th overall pick in the 2023 draft. In three seasons he has already made a Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors.

He has shown he can lock down an opponent’s top receiver in man coverage. That combination of size, speed and technique is uncommon around the league.

Gonzalez wants a contract that matches that production. He has made it clear he expects to be paid among the very highest at his position.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has said publicly that the team already offered a deal that would make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

New England appeared willing to wait and see what Seattle did with its own young star, Devon Witherspoon.

Witherspoon signed a four-year, $132 million contract with the Seahawks in August. Gonzalez is seeking to beat that number. The sticking point, according to reports, is the amount of guaranteed money.

The Patriots have signaled they can go above Witherspoon’s total value. They have not yet closed the gap on how much of the new deal would be fully guaranteed.

The unofficial deadline to get something done before the regular season is arriving fast. Frustration has been building on both sides.

Smith, a former NFL head coach, told Betway he does not expect the impasse to last.

“The NFL is a player-driven league. It will always be that, and I believe Gonzalez will get his deal,” Smith said.

“Mr. Kraft is not going to let that guy walk. There are negotiations and a bit of a dance going on, but it’s just a matter of days before this situation gets resolved. It’s not a tough situation either. It’s an easy one. He will be the highest-paid cornerback of all time. They just need to agree on by how much he will be the highest paid.”

Gonzalez still has two years left on his original rookie contract. Missing an extension before the opener would not leave the Patriots without him this season.

There is still little reason for the talks to stretch much further. The player has already proven his value on the field.

If Gonzalez stays healthy, the money the Patriots eventually commit should look like a sound investment. Few corners offer the same mix of coverage skill and reliability.

Paying him now would also remove a distraction as the team tries to start the year on a positive note against Seattle.

Smith’s view is that Kraft and the front office understand what they have in Gonzalez. The remaining work is simply agreeing on the exact size of the raise that will make him the new market setter at the position.