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"]

[mike_usagisan]

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.

Where I think @upstater1 is correct is that if you revisit it in 2027, there have been a new round of contracts for cornerbacks and the AAV Gonzo wants is now $34 million or $35 million or $36 million. The price tag just keeps going up. And if we're balking at $33 million now, is the team going to be more ready next year when they also are now negotiating with Maye?

 

[Zuma]

Where I think @upstater1 is correct is that if you revisit it in 2027, there have been a new round of contracts for cornerbacks and the AAV Gonzo wants is now $34 million or $35 million or $36 million. The price tag just keeps going up. And if we're balking at $33 million now, is the team going to be more ready next year when they also are now negotiating with Maye?

I think the Patriots would be crazy not to sign him to $33m. And yes the amount goes up every year.

 

[Zuma]

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

Then he should sign a reasonable contract that would make him the highest paid CB in the world…ever then. He would be a fool not to and his agent should be fired immediately.

 

[rkarp1]

Then he should sign a reasonable contract that would make him the highest paid CB in the world…ever then. He would be a fool not to and his agent should be fired immediately.

you appear to miss the point entirely
Gonzo would sign that contract if it kicked in THIS SEASON
If that contract does not kick in until 2 more seasons, it is not a reasonable contract

 

[upstater1]

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.

I just looked at that first round and so many players got market setting contracts. Will Anderson, Witherspoon, Jalen Carter, Bijan Robinson, Jamyr Gibbs, Darnell Wright, Jaxon Smith Njigba, Peter Skoronski, Zay Flowers (4th highest paid, $108m guaranteed).

9 guys got paid.

 

[PatsFan2]

I just looked at that first round and so many players got market setting contracts. Will Anderson, Witherspoon, Jalen Carter, Bijan Robinson, Jamyr Gibbs, Darnell Wright, Jaxon Smith Njigba, Peter Skoronski, Zay Flowers (4th highest paid, $108m guaranteed).

9 guys got paid.

What a Draft some really Great Players came from it.

 

[upstater1]

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.

It's like that by design. If this weren't all agreed to in the CBA, there would be no tolling of the contract which allows you to holdout a certain number of games. The owners agreed to that. They got a franchise tag in exchange. But the tag is so infrequently used that you have to wonder if it's even worth it for the owners. They may be better off in the future eliminating the tag and having players play out their contracts. You lose a player after his contract is up but at least you got all the years of his contract out of him. AND... this would be good for the majority of players in the NFL--but bad for the superstars.

The only benefit we see from the current system is that teams don't have to squabble with players over injuries which may/or may not count against and toll on their contract. It's a hard number. If that number wasn't there, we'd have so many arguments. This is the sort of thing you see in European soccer where players often determine whether or not they can play.

 

[PatsFan2]

It's like that by design. If this weren't all agreed to in the CBA, there would be no tolling of the contract which allows you to holdout a certain number of games. The owners agreed to that. They got a franchise tag in exchange. But the tag is so infrequently used that you have to wonder if it's even worth it for the owners. They may be better off in the future eliminating the tag and having players play out their contracts. You lose a player after his contract is up but at least you got all the years of his contract out of him. AND... this would be good for the majority of players in the NFL--but bad for the superstars.

The only benefit we see from the current system is that teams don't have to squabble with players over injuries which may/or may not count against and toll on their contract. It's a hard number. If that number wasn't there, we'd have so many arguments. This is the sort of thing you see in European soccer where players often determine whether or not they can play.

So why can't we revisit this next year in the case of Gonzo: he's only played Three years?? Him being a First Rounder: we have the Year Four and also the Fifth year option.

 

[PatsFan2]

Where I think @upstater1 is correct is that if you revisit it in 2027, there have been a new round of contracts for cornerbacks and the AAV Gonzo wants is now $34 million or $35 million or $36 million. The price tag just keeps going up. And if we're balking at $33 million now, is the team going to be more ready next year when they also are now negotiating with Maye?

One would have to be blind like Ray Charles not to think that factors in the current negotiations.

 

[slash83]

So why can't we revisit this next year in the case of Gonzo: he's only played Three years?? Him being a First Rounder: we have the Year Four and also the Fifth year option.

8 all pros from Gonzos draft class, 7 have signed extensions this offseason. Patriots are the only team that’s failed to do so, that’s not how teams operate anymore.

 

[PatsFan2]

8 all pros from Gonzos draft class, 7 have signed extensions this offseason. Patriots are the only team that’s failed to do so, that’s not how teams operate anymore.

I get it but remember because our bad Drafting finally caught up to us; we had to make Big FA splashes. Which now leads to contract escalators...some players are carrying some serious cap numbers...ie look at Landry's numbers. I have have no Issue with Uncle Milt but the rest yeah.

 

[PatsFan2]

I just looked at that first round and so many players got market setting contracts. Will Anderson, Witherspoon, Jalen Carter, Bijan Robinson, Jamyr Gibbs, Darnell Wright, Jaxon Smith Njigba, Peter Skoronski, Zay Flowers (4th highest paid, $108m guaranteed).

9 guys got paid.

See what good Drafting does for a Team: Seattle got Two Elite Players from that Draft Witherspoon and Smith Njigba.

 

[imahobgoblin]

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

Except that HE IS SIGNED. He is under contract until the end of next season. He is a free agent in 2028. He has not signed a new contract or extension, but he is signed. If he were to become a FA, we could franchise him and retain his rights, costing us $24.9 million to $25.5 million. If we were to franchise him again in 2029, it would be between round $29.8 million to $30.6 million. Those are incredible bargains for the Patriots right now, and poor leverage for Gonzo.

 

[upstater1]

See what good Drafting does or a Team: Seattle got Two Elite Players from that Draft Witherspoon and Smith Njigba.

There were a lot of good players available that draft. We got a great player too! It's important to have first round draft picks for this reason.

 

[upstater1]

So why can't we revisit this next year in the case of Gonzo: he's only played Three years?? Him being a First Rounder: we have the Year Four and also the Fifth year option.

You can but the price will be $38m. If you're not willing to sign him for $33m, why would you sign him for $38m?

AND his trade value will crater if we do that

 

[Ring 6]

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.

The 3 years that you added that he is not already under contract for average 32.7
Where are you getting the tag number from?

 

[imahobgoblin]

Where I think @upstater1 is correct is that if you revisit it in 2027, there have been a new round of contracts for cornerbacks and the AAV Gonzo wants is now $34 million or $35 million or $36 million. The price tag just keeps going up. And if we're balking at $33 million now, is the team going to be more ready next year when they also are now negotiating with Maye?

I'm sorry, but where are you getting these numbers from? How in the world do you know what Gonzo wants?

 

[imahobgoblin]

You can but the price will be $38m. If you're not willing to sign him for $33m, why would you sign him for $38m?

AND his trade value will crater if we do that

Again, how does anyone know these numbers? Who told you?

 

[rkarp1]

Except that HE IS SIGNED. He is under contract until the end of next season. He is a free agent in 2028. He has not signed a new contract or extension, but he is signed. If he were to become a FA, we could franchise him and retain his rights, costing us $24.9 million to $25.5 million. If we were to franchise him again in 2029, it would be between round $29.8 million to $30.6 million. Those are incredible bargains for the Patriots right now, and poor leverage for Gonzo.

I think you are forgetting that the cap is crap because contracts are crap

 

[imahobgoblin]

I think you are forgetting that the cap is crap because contracts are crap

I didn't forget anything. The franchise tag uses the average of the top five salaries at a player's position over the previous five years, scaled to the current salary cap, or 120% of the player's previous salary, whichever amount is greater. My estimates are solid.