We're just a week away from the start of the next NFL season, and the New England Patriots still don't have a new deal for Christian Gonzalez. They have been in talks all offseason, but even after the Seattle Seahawks signed Devon Witherspoon to a new contract (which many expected to be the last domino to fall in the Patriots-Gonzalez discussions), there is still no end in sight.
And, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.
In his latest article, Fowler wrote that the two sides are "not close on several elements of the deal." Fowler also wrote that the Oregon alum doesn't plan to have contract discussions during the season.
"Gonzalez did not appear thrilled when addressing local media members this summer. Perhaps that had something to do with team owner Robert Kraft floating publicly at the start of camp that New England offered to make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history," Fowler wrote.
"My understanding of this situation is that if Gonzalez were to sign a market-setting deal -- and it will need to be just that -- then it has to be buttoned up. And the sides are not close on several elements of the deal. ... New England has spent big on free agents but not necessarily on many market-resetting extensions. Gonzalez, who as of now does not plan to negotiate during the season, is testing that in a big way."
The Patriots need to sign Christian Gonzalez to a new contract
Gonzalez is: a) the best cornerback the Patriots have had in years (at least since Stefon Gilmore -- maybe JC Jackson if you want to go there), b) one of the best defensive players, let alone cornerbacks, in the league today, and c) New England's most important player on defense (and outside of Drake Maye, maybe on the whole roster).
Maybe it's easier for me to say since it isn't my money and I don't know exactly what is going on in these conversations, but it seems like it should be a no-brainer for the Patriots to hand Gonzalez a blank check and give him whatever he is asking for.
The Texas native may have singlehandedly prevented a bigger blowout Super Bowl loss for the Patriots with his clutch breakups and incredible play, and the team is not going to find anybody better than him anytime soon. Their whole defense (especially the secondary) is built around him and his strengths.
And on top of all of that, Gonzalez is only 24 years old. He still has his whole career ahead of him, and there's no telling where he can take it from here.
At this point, it wouldn't be much of a stretch to believe that Gonzalez is well on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer when it's all said and done. And, given that New England is in a good spot to compete for Super Bowls now and in the long run, it's important to keep someone like him around.
But the longer this goes on, the less likely it may be to happen, and this whole saga could be reaching its worst-case scenario.
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