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Patriots, Christian Gonzalez Reach $135 Million Deal Before Season Opener
Confirmed
In Short: The Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez have agreed to a four-year, $135 million deal, the richest in team history, just hours before their season opener against the Seahawks.
The deal, which includes $102 million in guaranteed money, surpasses previous records and ensures Gonzalez will be fully committed to the team. "It went later than Monday night, as reports of Gonzalez and the Patriots agreeing to a new deal came in just before 1 a.m.," according to 985TheSportsHub.
The new deal could not have come at a better time for the Patriots, who were less than 48 hours away from beginning their season. "The 24-year-old's deal beat Seattle's Devon Witherspoon's still-freshly inked deal by $3 million in total value, and featured a 'mere' $1 million more in guaranteed money," reported 985TheSportsHub.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The $135 million deal is not just the top deal among NFL cornerbacks, but it's also the richest deal in Patriots team history, eclipsing the $104 million contract ($63 million guaranteed) signed by defensive lineman Milton Williams last year.
- Without a deal, it seemed unlikely that Gonzalez would've played in that game, as he had become increasingly non-committal whenever asked about his status for that game without a new contract signed and official. (It was also hard to imagine the Patriots having a truly winning formula for Wednesday's Week 1 showdown without Gonzalez lining up against Seattle superstar Jaxson Smith-Njigba.) Gonzalez, who was drafted by the Patriots with a first-round pick back in 2023 (No. 17 overall), was a Second Team All-Pro in 2024, and is coming off a 2025 campaign that included 69 tackles and 10 passes defended in 14 games.
- And per Rapoport, Gonzalez certainly seemed to get everything he could've wanted in that four-year deal, as it will pay him $135 million and come with $102 million in guaranteed money, both record-highs.
- Instead, negotiations between Gonzalez and the Patriots soured, and it seemed like he may end up holding out to start the season.
- Less than 48 hours from their season opener, the Patriots have now ended any talks of a holdout, and will be at full strength to start the season.
- Coming off a run to the Super Bowl for the Patriots, everyone would've expected upbeat morale in New England.
- After Christian Gonzalez somehow fell to the Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft, he's blossomed into one of the league's top cornerbacks.
- Gonzalez was especially big in the postseason and Super Bowl where he shut down Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who had a historic season for the Seahawks.