Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension this offseason.
Christian Gonzalez has set himself up for a massive pay day.
As the former first-round selection enters the fourth year of his contract, the Patriots can exercise the fifth-year option on his deal this offseason. Both sides are also now also eligible to negotiate a long-term extension.
Speaking Tuesday during locker room clean-out, Gonzalez claimed that he would hope that to be the case.
“Oh, yeah, no doubt,” Gonzalez said. “This is where I got drafted, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Gonzalez’s fifth-year option is projected to come in just under $12 million, according to Over The Cap, which would keep him in New England through the 2027 season.
A long-term extension could keep him up in Foxboro well beyond that, and Gonzalez expects those conversations to take place between his representation and Mike Vrabel and the Patriots’ front office.
“I’m not really trying to get into all of that. I mean, it’s kind of more my agents, they’ll deal with that and keep me up to speed on it,” Gonzalez said. “Coming in today, I just wanted to see the guys, hang out with them a couple more times. I mean, it’s the last time this full team, coaching staff everything will be in the building. So, focus on that. Hanging out with the guys one more time today. And my agents and Vrabes and all, they’ll talk.”
After missing the start of the season with a hamstring injury suffered in training camp, Gonzalez was slow to find his rhythm upon returning. But Vrabel said he saw a different version of his top cornerback down the stretch.
That included a dominant playoff run, highlighted by an AFC Championship-clinching interception and a Super Bowl performance in which he recorded three pass breakups to prevent two potential touchdowns.
“Gonzo is one of our best players and I expect those things. He expects those. He expects more than we expect. He does,” Vrabel said. “And I’m happy that, again, he cares deeply about this team. He does. He’s very talented and we’re lucky to have him.”
Category: General Sports
