New England Patriots
“And coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in Patriots franchise history.”
Christian Gonzalez could sign an extension with the Patriots this offseason. AP Photo/Steve Luciano
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FOXBOROUGH – Christian Gonzalez has a hefty contract offer from the Patriots, team owner Robert Kraft said while speaking with reporters before Saturday’s training camp practice at Gillette Stadium.
“We love Christian,” Kraft said. “We love him as a player, as a person. That’s why we’ve made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player to ever play that position in the NFL, and coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in Patriots franchise history.”
As it stands right now, Gonzalez is on the final guaranteed year of his rookie deal. Gonzalez is scheduled to make $4.8 million this year, and the team has a one-year $18 million option for next year.
However, the Pro Bowl cornerback has been in negotiations for a new deal. According to Kraft, it would top the current record-holding 4-year, $121 million contract that Trent McDuffie signed with the Rams in March.
Robert Kraft on Christian Gonzalez: Patriots love him, made him offer as highest-paid CB, richest contract in franchise history, and hope he is with us for a long time. pic.twitter.com/bxRsdDkHvQ
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 25, 2026
Gonzalez has been with the Patriots since 2023, when New England drafted him No. 18 overall in the first round of the NFL Draft. Last season, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He was second-team All-Pro in 2024.
“We’re glad we drafted him. He developed here,” Kraft said. “We hope he’s here for a long time.”
Patriots training camp started on Saturday. Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed that Gonzalez was there and added that he expected the cornerback to participate. Gonzalez was spotted on the field at the beginning of practice.
“Those contract negotiations are ongoing between the club and his agents,” Vrabel said on Friday. “I’m excited about having Christian back here with us and the impact that he can make on our football team, and I really enjoy the person, enjoy the player. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Milton Williams signed a 4-year, $104 million deal last offseason, which was the biggest contract in franchise history in terms of average annual value. His cap hit is $28.5 million this season.
Christian Barmore signed a $4-year, $92 million contract extension with the Patriots in 2024 that was the biggest non-Tom Brady contract in franchise history before Williams’s deal surpassed it.
The four-year $72-million-dollar deal Tom Brady signed in 2010 was the biggest in NFL history at the time. He made $23 million during his final season with the Patriots in 2019.
According to Kraft, the offer made to Gonzalez tops $30 million per year.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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