Christian Gonzalez, New England’s top defender, is nowhere near a new contract with the Patriots, and it’s all because he wants a deal like our very own Devon Witherspoon’s record-breaking extension. With the NFL season opener literally days away, the Patriots and their star cornerback are “significantly apart” on money, and it’s turning into a full-blown drama.
Schefter Dropped a Bomb From Gillette
NFL insider Adam Schefter didn’t mince words on the Pat McAfee Show this past Monday. He painted a totally bleak picture for New England fans, telling everyone that “as of right now, talks are nowhere.” It’s not just a little bit off, either. Schefter was told just yesterday that a Gonzalez deal “wasn’t close.” This isn’t just about contract length, folks. When you can’t even agree on the money, the years become secondary. We’ve seen crazy things happen with last-second pushes, but Schefter said it’s “hard to imagine” these two sides will magically make up the difference by opening night. That’s a huge problem for the Patriots, because Gonzalez isn’t just some guy, he’s been one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks since he was drafted in 2023.
‘Spoon Money or Bust For Gonzalez
Here’s where the Emerald City pride comes in big time. Gonzalez, at just 24 years old, is looking to become the highest-paid cornerback in the entire league. Who currently holds that crown? Our guy, Devon Witherspoon! This offseason, Witherspoon, a fellow 2023 draft pick and a three-time Pro Bowler, inked a massive four-year, $132 million extension with our Seahawks. That’s a staggering $33 million in average annual value and an insane $101 million in total guarantees. No corner in the league has ever touched those numbers. Gonzalez is apparently looking to at least match Witherspoon’s deal. And guess what? The Patriots, despite their owner Robert Kraft and de facto GM Eliot Wolf publicly stating they’re “willing to support” him, “have never been there” and “have not gotten close to there” in negotiations. It just shows you how much our Hawks believe in their stars, putting the money where their mouth is, unlike some other organizations.
What’s Next For New England (and the rest of the league)?
So, what happens now with the opener just around the corner? The Patriots are facing the real possibility of their best defender not being on the field because they can’t cough up Witherspoon-level cash. Sure, Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado thinks a “deal eventually will get done,” but “eventually” doesn’t help when the clock is ticking down to kickoff. We’ll see if New England can figure out anything before their first game. For us, we’re just proud to see Devon Witherspoon out there setting the market and getting paid what he’s worth, showing the rest of the league what real commitment to a superstar looks like. Meanwhile, we’ll keep an eye on New England’s headache while our guys get ready to dominate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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