The New England Patriots ticked the final box of their offseason checklist just two days before the season kicked off. Christian Gonzalez became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, signing a four-year deal worth $135 million ($33.75 million yearly) with $102 million guaranteed.
The deal finally ended the saga that had dominated Patriots headlines for months. The deal ties him to the team until 2032, when he'll be 30.
The focus has been on the former Oregon Duck, and rightfully so, but Gonzalez's re-signing also has other interesting implications that have, so far, gone under the radar. Over the next few weeks, fans should keep an eye out for them.
3 under-the-radar implications of Christian Gonzalez being re-signed
Shuffling in the cornerback room
The Patriots opted to keep a number of cornerbacks on their final roster, with six making the cut and a seventh on the practice squad. Gonzalez was, of course, one of the six, along with Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Charles Woods, Karon Prunty, and Channing Canada.
Woods was the team’s CB4 last season, and despite a disastrous final preseason game, I’d expect him to retain that role. The future for players like Prunty and Canada, however, may be more uncertain.
Gonzalez’s contract stalemate could have enticed the front office to shore up the cornerback room with an extra name in the form of one of the rookies. Now that his future is certain, the team could opt to trim down the cornerback room to add support at other positions, perhaps along the defensive line.
Zak Kuhr gets consistency in first official year as defensive coordinator
Consistency can make or break a player's career, but we don't often hear about it from coaches. After leading the Patriots' defense as the interim play caller in 2025, Zak Kuhr stepped into the role in full this offseason, replacing Terrell Williams as he made the move to assistant head coach.
The team's defense returns nine starters from last season, with K'Lavon Chaisson and Jaylinn Hawkins the exceptions. To replace them, the team added Dre'Mont Jones and Kevin Byard, the latter of whom is most certainly an upgrade.
The team's edge defense remains a weakness in 2026 after the unit finished 22nd in sacks last year, and Chaisson contributed 10.5 sacks across the regular season and playoffs. Kuhr has enough pressure on him already, given that it's his first real year in the spotlight.
The last thing he needed was to lose the unit's best player to a trade.
Gonzalez was the primary cornerback against OPOY Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Super Bowl, as he managed just four catches for 27 yards. Aside from Smith-Njigba's exceptional 2025, he had ten catches for 153 yards and a score in the NFCCG. That yard total bested all but two of his games that season.
Additionally, the Patriots lost only two games last season in which Gonzalez played: Week 15 against the Bills and the Super Bowl. That puts them at 16-2 with Kuhr and Gonzalez together, while opponents scored 17.0 PPG.
On the contrary, the Patriots went 1-2 without Gonzalez, allowing 22.7 PPG. With Gonzalez back, the defense should see Kuhr keep being creative with play calling.
Robert Kraft likely looking to save money in 2027
The Patriots' roster reset under Mike Vrabel began last offseason and has continued into this season, with departures of Belichick- and Mayo-era players such as Anfernee Jennings, Jahlani Tavai, and Jaylinn Hawkins, among others.
To acquire players for this rebuild, Robert Kraft has shelled out serious capital over the last two seasons. In 2025, the Patriots spent nearly $100 million more than the second-place spenders and $200 million more than the fifth-place spenders. In 2026, they ranked seventh, spending over $190 million before Gonzalez's extension.
Add his $135 million deal, and the Patriots eclipse well over $300 million for the second straight season.
Historically, Kraft has balanced spending. Since Tom Brady's 2020 departure, the Patriots have ranked 28th, 1st, 30th, 14th, 13th, 1st, and 7th in free agency spending, according to Spotrac. That puts the team around 13th place on average: balancing high-spending seasons with low-spending ones, with average-spending seasons repeated.
Given the more than half a billion spent by the Krafts to get the team back on their feet, don't be surprised to see the team look to cut costs next offseason.
The team would save $16.4 million by releasing Christian Barmore, and $14.5 million more by releasing Harold Landry. If Morgan Moses doesn't retire, the team could save another $9 million by releasing him. In total, releasing all three would save just shy of $40 million.
Aside from in-house releases, the team is likely to make depth and procedural moves next offseason rather than big splashes, especially as they look to re-sign Drake Maye as he wraps up his third season.
Of course, that move will be one ownership spares no expense on, meaning the Krafts will shell out significant money next offseason, though it likely won't be for outside free agents.
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