The New England Patriots rewarded cornerback Christian Gonzalez with a massive four-year, $135 million deal on the eve of their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, according to multiple reports. Just last week Gonzalez didn't commit to playing against Seattle as he sought a new deal, so now both parties are satisfied as they enter 2026 with Super Bowl expectations.
Gonzalez, 24, is entering his fourth NFL season after earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2025. While he's not a big turnover producer with three career interceptions, Gonzalez is physical and moves fluidly at 6-foot-1, locking down half the field for Mike Vrabel's defense.
This deal comes three weeks after Seattle made Devon Witherspoon the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. Witherspoon didn't
hold the crown for long, as Gonzalez now has the largest contract at the position.
Here's a look at some of the other biggest cornerback contracts.
NFL's 10 highest-paid cornerbacks
(Total value)
- Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($135 million)
- Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($132 million)
- Trent McDuffie, Rams ($124 million)
- Sauce Gardner, Colts ($120.4 million)
- Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($100 million)
- Marlon Humphrey, Ravens ($97.5 million)
- Patrick Surtain II, Broncos ($96 million)
- DaRon Bland, Cowboys ($90 million)
- Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($90 million)
- Deommodore Lenoir, 49ers ($88.88 million)
Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears is among the players who could crack this list next, as his $76 million deal only runs through 2027.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL's 10 highest-paid cornerbacks after Christian Gonzalez extension
