What Christian Gonzalez mentioned about his contract extension
New England Patriots
Gonzalez mentioned he loves the Patriots and New England is the place he needs to be.
The Patriots and Christian Gonzalez reached an settlement on a record-setting contract extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback within the league someday earlier than Wednesday’s season opening loss to Seattle.
Gonzalez’s extension is price as much as $135 million over 4 years with $102 million in assured cash. The Patriots now have him below contract by way of the 2031 season. He’ll be 30 years outdated when he hits free-agency in 2032.
“I’m extraordinarily blessed,” Gonzalez mentioned. “Grateful. I like this staff, I like Boston, I like town. That is the place I wish to be. I’m pleased to be right here and glad we had been in a position to get it achieved. Now we’re onto the season.”
Gonzalez additionally will get important pay increase over the primary two seasons. His wage for this yr and subsequent yr are absolutely assured, and he has a $35 million signing bonus that might be prorated over the course of his contract.
The Patriots had him below staff management for 2 years below his earlier deal, which might have paid him $2.2 million in base wage this yr and $18.1 million in base wage subsequent yr. As a substitute of rolling the cube and having him play out these years on the outdated deal, the Patriots opted to pay him early.
“It was undoubtedly a reduction,” Gonzalez mentioned. “It was a pleasant feeling, however it was proper onto Seattle, to this recreation and simply prepared to come back out right here and do what I’ve obtained to do for the staff and play my position.”
New England dropped the season opener towards Seattle 13-10. Drake Maye threw three interceptions. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight of 12 targets for 122 yards and a 45-yard landing. The majority of Smith-Njigba’s manufacturing got here towards zone protection, together with the landing, which got here on a display screen go whereas Gonzalez was dropped again.
“I feel the Seahawks do an excellent job of simply shifting their playmakers round,” Gonzalez mentioned. “You’re speaking about Jaxon and [Rashid] Shaheed and [Cooper] Kupp, they do numerous motions to have the ability to hold individuals shifting.”
“As a protection, that’s onerous once you by no means know when one receiver goes to be someplace. So, props to them for doing that and making it powerful on us. The lengthy landing, they caught us in a protection. We’ll watch the movie and transfer on from it.”
Seattle pulled off the victory after shedding beginning quarterback Sam Darnold to a hip damage on the opening drive. Backup quarterback Drew Lock went 16-for-22 for 187 yards with a landing and no interceptions. Smith-Njigba was the one Seattle receiver with greater than 35 yards.
“He received the sport,” Gonzalez mentioned, when requested about Lock’s efficiency.
The Patriots dropped to 0-1 with the loss. They started final season 1-2 earlier than successful 9 in a row and ultimately making the Tremendous Bowl towards Seattle.
The loss was disappointing, Gonzalez mentioned, however there’s an extended solution to go.
“We’re hurting on this recreation, however we’re excited,” Gonzalez mentioned. “There’s an entire season in entrance of us. Like I mentioned, we’ll watch the tape, determine it out, and be prepared for Pittsburgh.”
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