Now that the trade for AJ Brown is finally over, the Patriots have other significant matters to attend to, most importantly, an extension for cornerback Christian Gonzalez. They have already picked up his fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but he's up for a new contract for the first time in his career, with most analysts projecting he will reset the market when a deal is done.
From what we've heard from GM Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel, the plan is to keep Gonzalez around long-term, and negotiations will take place when the time is right. The problem is that the Pro Bowler is already not showing up to OTAs, and that could continue into training camp until a contract is signed.
That makes the need to get an extension done even more dire, especially since the Patriots' defense has run through Gonzalez since he was drafted in the first round in 2023. Not having him on the field has already proven to be a disaster, so the higher-ups in Foxboro should act with more urgency.
Even knowing that, Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard is not sure that's the way New England should go about business. In fact, he's "leary of making Gonzalez the highest-paid corner," and refers to his Super Bowl performance as overrated.
It might be the worst take fans have heard in a long time.
Greg Bedard has a wild Christian Gonzalez take that doesn't make a lot of sense
During a recent appearance on Felger and Mazz, Bedard responded to a caller's question about the ongoing situation involving Gonzalez's contract.
Shockingly, the longtime Patriots reporter isn't on board with the team giving the cornerback a massive extension and even suggests the Krafts might not be, either.
Patriots reporter @GregABedard on Christian Gonzalez:
— Savage (@Savageboston) June 2, 2026
Per: @FelgerAndMazz
“I still have a tough time seeing the Krafts paying the freight after getting AJ Brown this offseason. If I were the Patriots, cause I am Leary of making Christian Gonzalez the highest paid corner in… pic.twitter.com/274mQRKatW
While being hesitant to write a substantial check is nothing new in the NFL, it's an odd feeling to have about a player as proven as Christian Gonzalez. Even more troubling is Bedard's desire to see a trade happen, despite likely acquiring two first-round picks in the deal.
It has been a long time since the Patriots had a cornerback like Gonzalez on the team, and historically, they have thrived the most when they did. It doesn't take much research to remember just how good Darrell Revis and Stephon Gilmore were for their defenses during the dynasty, so why Bedard is even entertaining the idea of trading Gonzalez is difficult to fathom.
The Patriots are not a team in need of trading away their best players to get high draft capital in return anymore. They just went to the Super Bowl and are a piece or two away from making the trip back this season.
Moving on from Gonzalez would be several steps backward and derail their chance of being among the top contenders in the future. So they should not even remotely consider what Bedard is advocating for, and hopefully, they won't.
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