While the NFL Offseason is coming to a close with this weekend marking the final set of preseason games, the drama is not dying down. One of the issues that can quickly sour the relationship between a player and their team is when the sides don't agree on a contract extension. When Christian Gonzalez came into the offseason ready for a new long-term deal, it seemed like an easy negotiation.
Since arriving in the NFL, Christian Gonzalez has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league, helping lead the Patriots' resurgence under Mike Vrabel. In the Super Bowl, Gonzalez gave the team the perfect reason to make him the highest-paid cornerback in the league, holding Jaxon Smith-Njigba to just 1 catch for 16 yards on 3 targets.
While everyone clearly sees that Christian Gonzalez is among the best players in the league, the Patriots are making things difficult.
The Patriots are being incredibly stubborn for no reason with Christian Gonzalez
Earlier in the offseason, Robert Kraft came out and said that the Patriots tried to make Christian Gonzalez the highest paid cornerback in the league, but considering that a deal wasn't made the story didn't make a ton of sense.
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, where he reported that the sides aren't close on a new deal and that they don't want to pay him top cornerback money.
"I don't think that Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots have been close to a new deal.. They don't appear to be wanting to give him Devon Witherspoon type money."Adam Schefter
Schefter specifically cited Devon Witherspoon, who signed a 4-year deal worth $132 million earlier this offseason for an average annual value of $33 million per year to become the highest-paid cornerback in the league.
The decision not to pay Christian Gonzalez is wild by the Patriots, and it's clearly showing one of their biggest assets that they don't value him. According to PFF, Gonzalez allowed just 46 catches on 106 targets for 498 yards and just 1 touchdown with an interception. Every week, Gonzalez is erasing opposing teams' top wide receivers, which is incredibly valuable.
We've seen countless times teams make the decision to play hardball with their superstars, and it rarely works out for them. If Christian Gonzalez were made available for trade, countless teams would call and make offers, as it's almost impossible to land that caliber of player. Making it even crazier is that the Patriots would get back draft picks where they'd hope to land a player nearly as talented as Gonzalez.
The off week before the season could finally bring this saga to an end if the Patriots finally make the wise decision and pay their franchise cornerstone. If a deal isn't reached, it could end up leading to Gonzalez demanding a trade or potentially holding out until an agreement is reached, which wouldn't be beneficial to either side.
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