Curran: "In my estimation... [Gonzo would like to] be treated as if he's at the table in 2027." [previous title: "say goodbye to gonzo"]

[upstater1]

Some of you guys are freaking out over a DB that has very limited control of the game and want to pay him so badly. You have no idea what he is asking for and what the hold up is. The Pats have rarely signed any relevant draft picks to extensions with 2+ years remaining. A lot can happen within the next two years.

You complain Kraft is cheap, but want to forget the dumbass contracts they recently handed out in 2024. Yay they signed their draft picks!

A lot of people rate him so much higher than you do.

People on this board denigrated him all last year.

You're blaming us for not celebrating the signings of Carlton Davis and Harold Landry?

 

[rads2005]

Any team trading for him will know his contract demands will be through the roof. If he plays well and asks for 10-12% of the cap, we could be talking about $39m a year given the rise of future caps. Who is going to pay him that AND give you 1st round draft picks? No one.

As for franchising that works even less. No non-RB has played on a franchise tag since Dak Prescott in 2020, except Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin coming off an injury. And the reason is that teams know that a player like Gonzalez can only play half the games, have his contract toll, and then he enters free agency with you getting nothing. If you franchise him again, he gets 20% higher than the top salaries (which will all be around $30m) so he would get $36m and ALL THAT money would have to count against that year's cap, which would burden the team.

It's a losing strategy if your fallback is, we'll just pay him $36m!!! Kind of crazy, when you can just pay him $33m now and spread the money over the length of the contract.

That’s not how the franchise tag is calculated. The current 2026 top 5 CB average is $31m, but the 2026 franchise tag is $21.6m. Let’s say it’s roughly $25 million in 2028.

That would mean if franchised, Gonzalez would make:

2026: 2.81m
2027: $18.12m
2028: $25m
2029: $30m
2030: $43.2m

Average per year: $23.8m for 5 years.

It’s too hard to know what the numbers will actually be, since it depends on top 5, salary caps, and the formula. But that’s an approximate.

I’ll take a $23.8m average for five years and see if Gonzalez stays healthy for five years and if his play doesn’t drop off. Whatever the actual franchise numbers, it would certainly be less than the $33m average they’re talking about now, and there would be less risk and less guarantees.

Drawbacks would be being unable to use the franchise on someone else, and Gonzalez would not sign at any price after five years if the Pats did that. But I think that’s worth it, because I’m very doubtful of Gonzalez as an all timer worthy of a Revis/Prime Time/Champ status.

 

[upstater1]

“We get nothing if we let him walk in 3 years”….no…we got 6 years of great CB play and by then a new 1st round drafted CB will be ready to start.

You're assuming he's going to play for more games than necessary in that situation.

BTW, less than 50% of 1st round CBs pan out. Most of them bust. Since 2020 alone, look at these names:

# spot picked in 1st round/name

3 Jeff Okudah
9 CJ Henderson
19 Damon Arnette
30 Noah Ighibegene
31 Jeff Gladney
22 Greg Farley
26 Greg Newsome
29 Eric Stokes
23 Kaiir Elam
31 Daxton Hill
16 Emanuel Forbes
22 Deonte Banks

These are just up to 2023, I didn't include 2024 because I suppose there's still a possible that Baltimore's CB Nate Wiggins will eventually start and develop.

 

[upstater1]

That’s not how the franchise tag is calculated. The current 2026 top 5 CB average is $31m, but the 2026 franchise tag is $21.6m. Let’s say it’s roughly $25 million in 2028.

That would mean if franchised, Gonzalez would make:

2026: 2.81m
2027: $18.12m
2028: $25m
2029: $30m
2030: $43.2m

Average per year: $23.8m for 5 years.

It’s too hard to know what the numbers will actually be, since it depends on top 5, salary caps, and the formula. But that’s an approximate.

I’ll take a $23.8m average for five years and see if Gonzalez stays healthy for five years and if his play doesn’t drop off. Whatever the actual franchise numbers, it would certainly be less than the $33m average they’re talking about now, and there would be less risk and less guarantees.

Drawbacks would be being unable to use the franchise on someone else, and Gonzalez would not sign at any price after five years if the Pats did that. But I think that’s worth it, because I’m very doubtful of Gonzalez as an all timer worthy of a Revis/Prime Time/Champ status.

I was responding to someone talking about the 2nd franchise year when it's 20% higher.

 

[Zuma]

You're assuming he's going to play for more games than necessary in that situation.

“More games than necessary”… you could say that for most NFL players. I think he’s a good doobie and will honor his contract in 2026. Then next season when it’s a contract year…revisit again. Let’s hope a contract gets done sooner rather then later.

 

[Diffs4]

Local Reporter - Patriots Employees.

Find me a National reporter who says this, or a local reporter who says the opposite, and you have something.

I respect your football knowledge but you have jumped the shark here in this thread. The Boston media which consists of a bunch of Felger copy cats (except Reiss) are Patriot employees. Kraft is rich he should pay him whatever he wants and the best one, Maye may not get done. Hard disagree on all 3. I expect this from the usual rage baiting, negative, drama queens on here but dissapointed to see that some of the better posters have joined them. Can't wait for real football to start.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

So Fowler says they are not even close
Reiss and Gonzo’s trainer says there has been movement in the right direction

I will go with Reiss

 

[203Pat]

Local Reporter - Patriots Employees.

Find me a National reporter who says this, or a local reporter who says the opposite, and you have something.

Mike Reis is about as tied in as anyone.

 

[rkarp1]

no one knows what has been offered
no one knows any specifics
to comment, with out knowing, makes no sense
what we do know, is that he isn't signed, and has apparently been upset things are public
what we also know is that he would be a fool to get on the field with only $21m guaranteed over the next 2 seasons

 

[Zuma]

no one knows what has been offered
no one knows any specifics
to comment, with out knowing, makes no sense

Your commenting

what we do know, is that he isn't signed, and has apparently been upset things are public
what we also know is that he would be a fool to get on the field with only $21m guaranteed over the next 2 seasons

More comments ….jk

 

[rads2005]

I was responding to someone talking about the 2nd franchise year when it's 20% higher.

That's what I was explaining. You said, "If you franchise him again, he gets 20% higher than the top salaries (which will all be around $30m) so he would get $36m."

That's not how the franchise tag is calculated. There's a formula. The current top 5 2026 salaries are all already above $30million, but the 2026 franchise tag is only $21.161 million.

By 2028, which would be Gonzalez' year, the franchise tag would probably be around $25 million. Year two would thus be 120% of that ($30m).

 

[upstater1]

“More games than necessary”… you could say that for most NFL players. I think he’s a good doobie and will honor his contract in 2026. Then next season when it’s a contract year…revisit again. Let’s hope a contract gets done sooner rather then later.

I don’t say he’s going to hold out this year but if you think he’s going to play for the Patriots without guaranteed money for the next 3 years I don’t know what to tell you. The entire league would understand if he held out next year. No one would hold that against him and he would even be foolish not to do it.

 

[upstater1]

That's what I was explaining. You said, "If you franchise him again, he gets 20% higher than the top salaries (which will all be around $30m) so he would get $36m."

That's not how the franchise tag is calculated. There's a formula. The current top 5 2026 salaries are all already above $30million, but the 2026 franchise tag is only $21.161 million.

By 2028, which would be Gonzalez' year, the franchise tag would probably be around $25 million. Year two would thus be 120% of that ($30m).

I thought it would be whatever is higher, not the lower number. In other words isn’t it either too 5 OR 120% of the franchise tag? I also think this is a position that is ramping up quickly. What are Patrick Surtain and Q Mitchell going to get next year? I bet more than Witherspoon. So we’ll have Sauce, Quinyon, Witherspoon, Stingley, Surtain and even McDuffie above $30m. By the time Gonzalez is franchised again for the 2029 season, I bet the top 5 would be close to $35m depending on how they’re structured

 

[rads2005]

I thought it would be whatever is higher, not the lower number. In other words isn’t it either too 5 OR 120% of the franchise tag? I also think this is a position that is ramping up quickly. What are Patrick Surtain and Q Mitchell going to get next year? I bet more than Witherspoon. So we’ll have Sauce, Quinyon, Witherspoon, Stingley, Surtain and even McDuffie above $30m. By the time Gonzalez is franchised again for the 2029 season, I bet the top 5 would be close to $35m depending on how they’re structured

Oh I see. That's my mistake. You're talking about the exclusive franchise tag. I don't think the Pats would use that though. It's really rare that teams use the exclusive. I just searched, and it's a really short list of 5 players that exclusive tags have been used on in the past 14 years (Dak Prescott, Le'Veon, Kirk Cousins, Von Miller, Brees). I assumed we were talking about the non-exclusive, since I don't think teams would give up two firsts and a gigantic contract for Gonzalez. It's never been used on a cornerback.

 

[rkarp1]

Your commenting

More comments ….jk

my "commenting" was directed at the "Kraft is cheap" and "Gonzo is greedy" comments. or the "trade his ass" comments.

I have said it many times here. the numbers are easy and very agreeable for both sides. the issue will be the when the deal will start.
but if it is not finalized over the next 7 days, Gonzo would be a fool to step onto the field and risk $100m+ guaranteed.

 

[mgteich]

First, at WORST, Gonzo will be here for at LEAST 3 more seasons. 2 on his rookie contract and one Franchise year. Second, Don't be such an ass and perpetuate the Kraft is cheap mantra. I would have hoped you were smarter than that.

No, the WORST is that he plays half-heartedly this year, coming down with an injury as soon as he has played the required number of games for the season to count.

He might even refuse to play with a minor injury for Game 1.

I don't think that he has any intention of giving the patriots a pro-bowl season for under $3M while risking career-ending injury,

This is a business, especially for the very best players.

 

[Zuma]

No, the WORST is that he plays half-heartedly this year, coming down with an injury as soon as he has played the required number of games for the season to count.

Playing half-heartedly will send the wrong message to the league while he is looking for a new contract. He hasn’t done anything like that yet…in fact it’s been the opposite. His teammates and coaches have praised him for not letting the business side effect his game. I think he’s a standup guy and will continue to honor the contract he agreed to. Revisit in 2027.

 

[PatsFan2]

my "commenting" was directed at the "Kraft is cheap" and "Gonzo is greedy" comments. or the "trade his ass" comments.

I have said it many times here. the numbers are easy and very agreeable for both sides. the issue will be the when the deal will start.
but if it is not finalized over the next 7 days, Gonzo would be a fool to step onto the field and risk $100m+ guaranteed.

So players don't have to honor the remaining year or years on their contracts?? I have a problem with that: sone of Gonzo's Peers from that very Draft have resigned with no issues. They weren't asking for and didn't get Market setting contracts.

 

[rkarp1]

So players don't have to honor the remaining year or years on their contracts?? I have a problem with that: sone of Gonzo's Peers from that very Draft have resigned with no issues. They weren't asking for Market setting contracts.

thats not what I am saying
we do not know the specifics, but in my opinion;

teams often take the last 2 years, which is where the Pats are with Gonzo, and convert those 2 years to part of a signing bonus.
the player gets those remaining 2 years upfront.
the team then gives the player a new deal, starting immediately, replacing the deal in place from the 2 remaining years.

if the Pats were to do that, I assume Gonzo would sign for a Witherspoon-ish type deal. $33m or so AAV. $100m + guaranteed. etc...pretty cut and dry now that other top 3-5 CB's have signed their deals.

in my opinion, what the team may have offered Gonzo, is $33m or so AAV. $100m+ guaranteed. etc. but to start AFTER the next 2 years.

Pats can say they gave Gonzo a top of market deal.
Gonzo saying he won't take 2026 dollar value in 2028. if he were to sign a deal like that, he would want to sign an AAV commensurate with 2028 value dollars.

again, we don't know the specifics. but my assumption is $33m-ish and $100m+ guaranteed are agreed by both teams. when the contract starts is where the hold up is.

reminder, if Gonzo signs a deal that starts in 2026, he can sign another deal when he is 28-29 years old. If his deal kicks in starting in 2028, his next deal comes when he is 30-31 years old...big difference for his next deal.

 

[rkarp1]

Playing half-heartedly will send the wrong message to the league while he is looking for a new contract. He hasn’t done anything like that yet…in fact it’s been the opposite. His teammates and coaches have praised him for not letting the business side effect his game. I think he’s a standup guy and will continue to honor the contract he agreed to. Revisit in 2027.

and if he injures in 2026, all he has is his $18m guaranteed dollars in 2027...never mind the $100m+ if he agreed to a deal today
he would be a fool if he did that, and his agent should be fired immediately, and banned by the NFLPA