Conventional wisdom suggested there would be a quick resolution with cornerback Christian Gonzalez's contract once the Seattle Seahawks signed Devon Witherspoon to a market-topping deal on Aug. 16. Witherspoon received a four-year, $132 million contract extension, averaging $33 million per year with $101,255,702 in guarantees where $59,255,702 is fully guaranteed, which are both record marks for a cornerback. That's what happened in the running back market this preseason.
Bijan Robinson's three-year, $66.75 million extension, averaging $22.5 million per year and worth a maximum of $75 million through salary escalators, with the Atlanta Falcons served as a blueprint for the Detroit Lions giving Jahmyr Gibbs a three-year, $67.5 million extension, averaging $22.5 million worth up to $75.75 million thanks to salary escalators, within a matter of days. It's been over two weeks since Witherspoon signed. Gonzalez still hasn't gotten a new deal.
Both players are represented by Reggie Johnson. It's only natural that Johnson would find Witherspoon's new deal particularly relevant given he negotiated it and the players, who were selected 12 picks apart in 2023's first round, have both become two of the game's best young cornerbacks. Gonzalez has two years left on his rookie contract for $20,928,482.
He is scheduled to make $2,809,452 this year and $18.119 million in 2027, which is his fully guaranteed fifth-year option. Johnson is attempting to hold New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's feet to the fire because he announced at the start of training camp in late July that Gonzalez had been offered a deal that would make him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. Gonzalez was dismayed at Kraft negotiating through the media as he preferred to keep the contract discussions private.
At the time of Kraft's proclamation, the distinction belonged to Trent McDuffie. He signed a four-year, $124 million extension, averaging $31 million per year, in connection with his March trade from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Rams. The general proposition with Kraft's offer should continue to hold true despite changing cornerback market conditions.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said that still is the case last week with the most recent offer. It conflicts with reporting from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, who indicated the two sides weren't close to reaching an agreement. Christian "Flight" White, who is Gonzalez's longtime trainer, confirmed Wolf's characterization of the offer in an interview with Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Mazz on Monday.
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