Thursday’s news points to a very unhappy Christian Gonzalez as the 2026 New England Patriots season speeds toward us.
At first on Tuesday, it was Gonzalez, after practice and sandwiched around owner Robert Kraft’s helicopter landing, sounding almost sad about the current state of negotiations with the team on a long-term contract extension.
Quick and to the Point
“My team has made it known what I feel I’m worth. The right people know what I’m worth,” said the Pro Bowl cornerback.
Then on Thursday’s Pat McAfee Show, ESPN’s Adam Schefter drilled home some ominous news.
Bombshell from Schefter
“I don’t think that at anyone one point here that they’ve been close to a deal,” said Schefter. (Seattle’s Devon) Witherspoon has established the benchmark. And the Patriots haven’t gone there. And they weren’t there before. And they don’t appear to be going there right now. And they’re off on the two sides of money.
“The Patriots and Gonzalez haven’t been close. They’re not in the same neighborhood right now and haven’t been. Thus, the disappointment.”
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Being paid pennies in comparison
Gonzalez, in his fourth NFL season, is slated to play for just $2.2 million this year and just over $18 million next year. Meanwhile, Witherspoon, selected in the same draft as Gonzalez, chosen a dozen picks ahead of Gonzalez, will haul in $59 million guaranteed in the next two years.
He spent the two weeks that included the joint practices with the Colts and Eagles away from the practice field, refusing to state on Tuesday whether the absence was contract or injury related.
“I’m not going to get into that. I’m out here now, so it is what it is,” Gonzalez said.
Does the team value him?
Schefter went on to speak about Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel valuing defensive linemen and getting to the quarterback ahead of the players in the secondary.
A bit of a harbinger of doom on McAfee Thursday, also put it bluntly between the team and Gonzalez’ camp.
“If they can’t get something done … what happens then?” he said. Patriots fans don’t want to find out
