Patriots offer Christian Gonzalez richest cornerback deal in NFL history
The New England Patriots have offered Christian Gonzalez a long-term contract that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Speaking ahead of the team’s first training camp practice in Foxborough, owner Robert Kraft confirmed the historic proposal on Saturday.
The billionaire owner revealed that the prospective agreement would also represent the most lucrative deal in the franchise’s history.
“We love Christian Gonzalez. We love him as a player, as a person, and that’s why we’ve made an offer to him to make him the highest-paid player to ever play that position in the NFL,” Kraft said.
Setting the market
Contracts for elite defensive backs have surged recently, with average yearly salaries now comfortably exceeding the $30m mark.
The Los Angeles Rams currently set the benchmark after signing Trent McDuffie to a four-year, $124m deal in March.
The former first-round pick is eligible for an extension for the first time, having originally been selected 17th overall by New England.
With two years remaining on his current rookie deal, the talented defensive standout is scheduled to earn a base salary of $2.26m this season.
Ongoing negotiations
The highly-rated defender shares representation with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who is concurrently eligible for his own mammoth extension.
Head coach Mike Vrabel openly acknowledged the business realities surrounding his star player as preparations for the new campaign began.
“Contract negotiations are ongoing between the club and his agents,” Vrabel stated.
“I’m excited about having Christian back here with us and the impact that he can make on our football team, and I really enjoy the person, enjoy the player.”
Despite the shared agency, the Patriots boss dismissed any notion that the two negotiations are linked.
“I don’t think they have anything to do with one another. We’re not negotiating with the Seahawks; we’re negotiating with Christian’s representatives,” he added.