Now that training camp is right around the corner, there are big stories that will inevitably become a focus for the Patriots, one of which is the impending extension for cornerback Christian Gonzalez. They have already picked up his fifth-year option, so he is under contract for the 2027 season, but considering the caliber of player he has become, that's not enough.
Because he is up for his first extension, the Patriots would be wise to get that done sooner rather than later, especially since the Chiefs already traded for Trent McDuffie and immediately gave him a market-resetting contract.
The same will almost assuredly happen with the Seahawks, who also have a 2023 first-round cornerback up for an extension with Devon Witherspoon, and if they beat the Patriots to getting that deal done first, Gonzalez will be happy, but the Patriots will not.
Why is that? Because they'd be on the hook to top Witherspoon's contract, since many would argue that Gonzalez is a better player. Not only that, he deserves to be the next player to reset the cornerback market, so the Patriots will have to do that regardless.
They'd likely prefer doing it on their own, rather than being forced.
The Patriots will be in an undesirable situation if the Seahawks beat them in the extension game
It has been a while since the Patriots were in a position to extend a rookie before their contract is up, let alone pick up a fifth-year option.
But Gonzalez is already considered one of Bill Belichick's best draft picks of his entire career, and for that reason, he's earned a new contract to keep him in New England as long as possible and make him the face of the defense.
There's no reason they shouldn't reward him with a hefty contract, but the longer they wait, the more they welcome the idea that they'll have to top Witherspoon's extension, and from a money perspective, that's not smart on their end.
For Gonzalez, it would mean he would presumably get more money. At the same time, that would certainly raise concerns among fans, who worry the Patriots would drag their feet more in getting a deal done, which could lead to things like a holdout by the cornerback.
That's something they should want to avoid at all costs, and considering the kind of player Gonzalez has become, which is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, they would be smarter to beat out the Seahawks in the deal.
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