The regular season opener is 10 days away, and the New England Patriots are reportedly working to bridge the gap with star cornerback Christian Gonzalez on a contract extension.
According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the two sides are "talking" in the lead-up to the Week 1 Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks.
"Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the two sides are talking — 10 days from the regular-season opener at Seattle," Florio wrote.
Per Florio, if the deal gets done, it will be a four-year contract extension for Gonzalez in New England. He offered an explanation of the current sticking points in the ongoing negotiations.
"The sticking points have more to do with structure and total dollars. He’s surely looking to beat
the new record high of $33 million in new-money APY, set 15 days ago by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon," Florio wrote.
Most expected the deal to come together quickly after Witherspoon's historic contract extension set a definitive baseline for the negotiations. Gonzalez is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, and he's deserving of a new deal that mirrors that sentiment.
The drop-off for the Patriots behind their three starters, Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones, is a major concern heading into the 2026 season. It sets the stage for a potential make-or-break situation for Gonzalez's new deal.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: New Christian Gonzalez contract update emerges before roster deadline
