Football is less than a week away as the New England Patriots get set to open the 2026 NFL season with a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks.
Enough is said, so let’s get into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What do you think is a reasonable contract for the Patriots and Gonzalez to come to in terms of total salary, total guaranteed, guaranteed at signing, and signing bonus and any other parameters you want to throw in? – New England Guy
I’ve heard some team reporters say Gonzo has essentially no leverage. Is that really true? Can he realistically hold out, and what happens if he refuses to practice? The only meaningful leverage I’ve heard is that if he doesn’t play by Week 10, his contract and fifth-year option could toll a year—bad for him if he wants to get paid sooner. – Maye The Force Be With You
By his own words, Christian Gonzalez has not committed to playing in the Patriots’ season opener Wednesday night. Mike Vrabel, meanwhile, expects “every player that is healthy and under contract to practice and to play.” If the cornerback doesn’t suit up, this saga reaches a new level.
As you stated, Gonzalez needs to play six games this year to accrue a year of service time. A holdout would prevent him from making progress toward free agency while then seemingly increasing the odds of a trade next offseason.
I still do not believe it gets to that point. I’d continue to guess that Gonzalez plays Wednesday night, as the two sides will continue to try to get a deal done before then. As for the structure, I would continue to use Devon Witherspoon’s deal (below) as a framework, with a slight bump:
- Total value: $132 million
- AAV: $33 million
- Guaranteed money: $101 million
- Guaranteed at signing: $59 million
My on-topic contribution: Do you see a world in which the O-line turns from a liability to a reasonable strength, making this a truly elite offense? (I do.) – ed.liebfried
I do too, Ed. Will Campbell is healthy and had an overall solid training camp. He should take a step forward in Year 2, in addition to getting center Jared Wilson back at his natural position. The addition of veteran Alijah Vera-Tucker should make both of the second-year linemen’s lives easier as well. There are plenty of projections there, but they have the talent and potential to be an offensive line that at least ranks in the top half of the league.
Especially with the Seahawks game in mind, have the Pats done enough (adding AVT, Gilliam and blocking TE’s) to protect Maye and give him the time to succeed? – Ricky Hot Pants
As we discussed above, the offensive line group should take a step forward with the internal development of the young players and addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker. Additions like Reggie Gilliam should also allow the Patriots to play and take advantage of more heavy personnel groupings than they did in the Super Bowl, where they lived in 11 personnel.
Those improvements should help the offense against Seattle’s four-man rush — which shined in the Super Bowl — and in the Patriots’ run game. From there, New England will need better answers against Mike Macdonald’s pressure looks this time around.
In addition to the four-man rush, the biggest issue against Seattle in the Super Bowl was the Patriots’ lack of answers against the Seahawks’ pressure packages. New England failed to either have “hot” options available to Drake Maye or correctly adjust the protection pre-snap. The Patriots spent much of this offseason weaponizing Maye’s mind as he enters Year 2 in Josh McDaniels’ system, hoping to avoid similar issues moving forward.
“I think just more comfort in what we are doing, more command, more understanding to be able to operate and get us into the best plays,” Vrabel said about Maye’s improvements from the end of last season.
Do you think the Pats OLine could be better with Roten starting at Center to begin the year and start Wilson after a few games after he gets a little more familiar with the Center position in the NFL? – sjamesbossports
I do not. I think Wilson is a good center prospect and Van Roten fits in better at guard whereas Ben Brown is likely the backup center.
I’m sorry but adding 10 new players after cut down day, causes me to think the Patriots, scouting, drafting and player development is not good enough. 10 new players, suggest the had the wrong players in camp. Your thoughts? – Patriot in Chicago
To me, it comes down to two main things: injuries and free agency.
The Patriots are starting the year without OT Marcus Bryant, TE Julian Hill, RB Terrell Jennings, OLB Harold Landry III and ST Brenden Schooler. Each player was expected to assume a starting or backup role and deepen the roster.
As for free agency, they did not hit on the middle class of free agents this year with guys like Mike Brown, Kindle Vildor and K.J. Britt compared to the likes of Khyiris Tonga, Jack Gibbens and K’Lavon Chaisson last season.
What are your thoughts about Ponder being a starter week1 as DE coming from nowhere last year ? – 7i165
I am a fan of Elijah Ponder. He’s a great athlete off the edge and had some really strong moments against some of the best tackles in football last season. But, going from a rotational player who logged just 215 defensive snaps to a full-time, three-down starter is a major ask for a 24-year old that was an undrafted free agent. We will see if he is ready.
I have heard next to nothing about Reggie Gilliam. What I have heard is more like the theoretical value of having a true fullback on the roster again. But did he look good in camp? Did he play in preseason? Is there any indication of how the offense has evolved with his addition? – NEsuper
It was tough to evaluate Gilliam as the team really managed his workload this summer to help him deal with past injuries that have nagged him. There isn’t much concern that that will affect him during the season as he has been one of the league’s best fullbacks for multiple years.
As we hinted on above, his arrival will allow the team to find more success in heavier, two-back personnel groupings. Last season, New England averaged just 3.1 yards and a negative EPA/rush in those looks. Buffalo, meanwhile, averaged 4.9 yards per rush and nearly 9.0 yards per pass with Gilliam on the field. He should make life easier for the whole offense.
Who has been the biggest surprise (positive or negative) from Training Camp/Preseason that casual fans should pay more attention to as the season begins? – LandenPatz1
For the casual fans, it’s been pretty striking to see the turnover on special teams. Among the Patriots players who played over 100 snaps on the kick or punt team last season, they have lost: Brenden Schooler (NFI), Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Westover, Anfernee Jennings, Alex Austin and K’Lavon Chaisson.
Elijah Ponder was also part of that group and could take a reduced role due to his standing on the defensive depth chart.
That is massive turnover in the kicking game — which doesn’t even count Bryce Baringer’s injury — that has been replaced by rookies and some recent waiver claims. While special teams is often overlooked, it can make a big impact in a game.
“The trust factor is what it comes down to in the kicking game because those kick returns, punt returns, a block punt, those usually lose you games. If you give up return touchdowns, and conversely if you hit them. those help you win and lose games,” VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden said. “So that’s why it’s such a vital piece of the game and you do sometimes want to rely on guys who’ve been there done that, but inevitably you have to lean into these young players.”
Why do you think the Pats didn’t keep Saunders, even on the PS? Ball-hawking defenders are not that common. Several reporters expected he’d make the team. Was he just deficient in other areas (pass coverage, run support, etc.)? If so, you’d think they’d have put him on PS and coached him up. – Jiveball
I was impressed with Saunders this summer. The ball hawking skills were apparent although he did have some issues diagnosing plays in the screen/run game. I wasn’t expecting him to make the 53-man roster due to lack of special teams usage and the Jaylen Reed trade, but am surprised he didn’t stick around on the practice squad. I wonder if he was searching for a bigger opportunity elsewhere, but he remains a free agent.
Why do some commenters seem not to know there’s a salary cap and the Pats can’t just pay a player whatever he wants because Kraft is wealthy? – Mysterious Moe Berg
You can’t pay everyone everything, but the cap can be easily manipulated. As Eliot Wolf said last week, it comes down to the cash budget.
What’s more exciting, First day of regular season or the Super Bowl (if your team is playing) ? – sumeetw
Opening night always provides juice, but nothing is quite like the Super Bowl with your team in it.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post on the Feed. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.
