Patriots now have a $17.5 million decision to make about franchise superstar

The last few years of his tenure as the Patriots' head coach won't be remembered too fondly, but there are a few things that stand out positively for Bill Belichick during that time that continue to go under the radar. The most noteworthy of all is his applaudable decision to select CB Christian Gonzalez with the team's first-round selection in 2023, as he has already become an anchor of their defense.

Although there are rumors that the former head coach almost passed on the Oregon alum for another player, Gonzalez became a Patriot and has every reason to remain on the team for as long as possible, especially with how he's played over the last three seasons.

He's already been named a Second-Team All-Pro for the 2024 season and was voted into the Pro Bowl this year, finally being recognized for the talent that so many across the NFL overlook.

And as great as that all is for his career and the Patriots' secondary, it now means they'll be on the hook for more money when they eventually (and hopefully inevitably) offer him his first contract extension, with the opportunity coming with his fifth-year option next offseason.

It should be an easy decision, but the money that he will be owed now might make it a bit trickier for Mike Vrabel and Co. to get it done.

Christian Gonzalez just earned more money in his fifth-year option that the Patriots should easily pay him

Because factors beyond their on-field performance, like making the Pro Bowl, affect how much money they can earn from a fifth-year option, the Patriots now know that Gonzalez will be due for more money when extension time comes.

Evan Lazar of Patriots.com noted that the price tag went up with the announcement of the cornerback making the Pro Bowl, and a fifth-year option will now cost New England $17.5 million to keep him around for at least one more year, and give them more time to reach an agreement on a long-term extension.

Because they'll have to decide about picking up Maye's fifth-year option in 2027, there is some speculation suggesting that the higher-ups might be more hesitant to give Gonzalez that kind of money.

However, there's no reason not to do it when the salary cap is only going to go up and dominant cornerbacks like Gonzalez don't grow on trees. We saw how the defense performed in his absence to start the season, and it was enough to make fans dream about his return, and we've seen how much better they've been since he took the field.

At this point, they can't afford to lose him, so they'll have to pick up that option and try to get an extension done quickly. That way, he's already in the books before figuring out the next steps with Maye.