Patriots claim to offer cornerback Christian Gonzalez record-breaking contract

Patriots owner Robert Kraft told reporters at the team’s training camp that the franchise has extended an offer to Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez that would set a new NFL record for cornerback earnings and also become the biggest contract in New England’s history.

"We love Christian Gonzalez. 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 ever to play that position in the NFL. And coincidentally, it's the highest contract in the Patriots' franchise history," Kraft said. Gonzalez, the 24-year-old drafted 17th overall in 2023, currently has two seasons left on his rookie contract after the Patriots exercised his fifth-year option. The proposed deal is expected to run at least four years at roughly $31 million per season, surpassing the current league-leading cornerback salary held by Los Angeles Rams’ Trent McDuffie, who earns $31 million annually under a four-year, $124 million agreement. The Patriots’ previous largest contract belongs to defensive tackle Milton Williams, who signed a four-year, $104 million deal. Kraft’s comments suggest the team aims to retain Gonzalez long-term, though no formal agreement has been announced.