The Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez may indeed be far apart on a new deal, but that doesn’t mean they’re not trying to bridge the gap.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the two sides are talking — 10 days from the regular-season opener at Seattle.
Amid speculation in some circles that Gonzalez wants a three-year extension (making it a five-year deal) while the Patriots are dug in at four new years and six total, we’re told that’s not a sticking point. If/when a new contract is done, it will be a four-year extension.
The sticking points have more to do with structure and total dollars. He’s surely looking to beat the new record high of $33 million in new-money APY, set 15 days ago by Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
And, to the extent Gonzalez’s recent absence from practice was motivated by the lack of a deal, there’s always a chance he’ll be injured (or “injured”) again as Week 1 approaches.
The Patriots went through a similar situation six years ago, when reigning defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore made it clear shortly before the regular-season opener that he wouldn’t play without a new deal. He eventually got a $5 million bump on his pay for the 2020 season just days before the first game.
