On Labor Day, the New England Patriots and Christian Gonzalez birthed a contract extension to make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. According to reports, the months-long process culminated on Monday in an agreement that will pay the 24-year-old $135 million over four years.
We don’t know the full structure of the deal yet, but the fact that it got signed in the first place is telling. So, let’s put a grade it.
Instant grades: Patriots sign CB Christian Gonzalez to 4-year, $135M extension
Bernd Buchmasser: The signs always pointed toward Gonzalez and the Patriots ultimately
reaching an agreement, but the timeline and eventual scope of the deal was where the uncertainty lied. It took a while for those questions to get resolved, but doing so before the start of the season is the best-case scenario even though it meant a massive investment on the team’s part. | Grade: A+
Andrew Guindon: This is a regime that’s emphasized retaining and rewarding its top talent, and that’s what the Patriots ultimately did with Gonzalez. Having a true premier shutdown cornerback on your roster, such as Gonzalez is a luxury in the NFL. Those are the types of players you pay while Drake Maye is still under his rookie contract. He showcased how impactful he can be in the biggest moments during last season’s Super Bowl, and now he’s under contract through 2031. | Grade: A+
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