The New England Patriots have a couple upcoming contract decisions with former first-round cornerback Christian Gonzalez. First, they have to officially exercise the 23-year-old’s fifth-year option. Then, they’ll have to work on a long-term deal with the cornerback.
It likely will be smart of the Patriots to not drag their feet on contract extension negotiations with Gonzalez.
Because of the mammoth next contract coming in the cornerback market, that’s what CBS Sports’s Joel Corry argued this week.
“Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed at last month’s league meeting that Gonzalez’s option year would be picked up,” wrote Corry. “A contract extension could be on the horizon this year.
“It will probably be in New England’s best financial interest to get a deal done before the Seahawks do with Witherspoon.”
Trent McDuffie already reset the cornerback market with a 4-year, $124 million extension this offseason. It’s possible Devon Witherspoon could exceed that.
Gonzalez is unlikely to receive an extension that pays him more than either McDuffie or Witherspoon. But if Witherspoon raises the cornerback market again, then the Patriots might have to pay Gonzalez more as a top 3 or 5 player at the position in the league.
Projecting Contract Extension for Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez
GettyCBS Sports’s Joel Corry argued the New England Patriots should sign cornerback Christian Gonzalez to a contract extension before Devon Witherspoon gets his next deal.
It’s rarely a smart thing for NFL teams to wait on signing a young player, such as Gonzalez, to a contract extension. Sometimes, it’s prudent to wait with an older veteran or reclamation project.
But in Gonzalez’s case, he’s been a star since entering the league. He’s grown into one of the best at his position.
Prices for those kinds of players don’t go down. They only go up.
Spotrac projected Gonzalez to be worth an $80.95 million extension on a 3-year deal. That would pay him roughly $27 million on an average annual basis.
Based on the league’s current cornerback salaries, that would rank Gonzalez fourth in average annual salary. But if Witherspoon receives his deal first, then that average annual salary might only rank him fifth.
Whether that matters or not is debatable. However, it could only hurt the Patriots.
What Is Gonzalez’s Fifth-Year Option Worth?
GettyCornerback Christian Gonzalez will have two years left on his New England Patriots contract if the team exercises his fifth-year option.
In 2026, the Patriots top cornerback will have just a $2.259 million base salary. Then, exercising Gonzalez’s fifth-year option will pay him $18.119 million in 2027.
The Patriots have yet to officially pick up that option, but it seems to be a formality at this point. The deadline for fifth-year options this year is May 1.
With that contract situation, Gonzalez can’t go anywhere until 2028. But as Corry explained, an extension should come much sooner than that.
It could make Gonzalez more expensive for the 2027 or even the 2026 campaign. But again, by waiting, the bill for the cornerback could only grow.
According to Spotrac, the Patriots are sixth in salary cap space for next season entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
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