Gonzo signaling…

Huckleberry1 · Mar 27, 2026

PatsWickedPissah said:
Mr Peabody's Wayback Machine: For decades I worried about the cap and who we'd re-sign. I love Gonzo. One of the best CB we've ever had up with & possibly better than Ty & Mike Haynes. He should get top dollar. But I no longer worry or care as much as I did in the Brady BB years. Love the Pats but I don't follow as closely and certainly don't have the deep emotional commitment. I knew my passion would flag once they left and it did.
These days I follow player status loosely. No longer do I care passionately who gets cut in September. I love Varies & root for Maye, Gonzo, et. al. but when things don't work out I'm no longer depressed. Just disappointed.
Sincerely hope we re-sign him but no longer emotionally involved.

That's interesting Pissah, I'm the opposite. My interest and enthusiasm waned over the last 4-5 years of the Brady era. After they Won the Seahawks Super Bowl, which I loved, I became kind of burned out because they won so much. It had become too predictable. I became reinvigorated when they drafted Maye. I think this was because the most interesting part of football for me is the process of building a championship team. I became really interested in football because of this, and that's what got me into following the draft, and later free agency. And that's still the most interesting aspect of it to me.

As a side note now that I think of it the way Belichick drafted may have been part of the reason I grew bored with it. I would spend months pouring over prospects only to see him draft everyone but the guys I was hoping for. This ultimately led me to paying less attention to the offseason, and this football in general:

maust · Mar 27, 2026

patfanken said:
When considering this contract, I think you have to put into context the fact that regardless of what Gonzo desires OR the current market is the Pats could control his contract for the next 3 years. That includes the last 2 years of his rookie contract for short money, plus at least another year under franchise tag.

Worth pointing out the term 'short money' is relative for year 5. Due to his success the 5th year option for Gonzalez is > $18M, making it the 5th-6th highest on the team. Certainly it's 'short' compared to $35-40M but it's Romeo Doubs money and @ 4 times higher than his 4th year which at < 5M is decidedly 'short money' for a player of his caliber

Stu Pidassle · Mar 27, 2026

Huckleberry1 said:
When has he ever created drama about business decisions?

The best example was last year and his hamstring injury. There were many reports that he waited longer than necessary to ensure that he didn't compromise his bargaining position by playing at less than 100%.

Stu Pidassle · Mar 27, 2026

Salsalife said:
Are you nuts? Diva? Gonzo. Gonzo a diva, this guy is a true sportsman, quiet, no bs, no **** talking during the game, helps the opponent get up. Diva? I'd say the most professional player we've ever had. Love his non Diva attitude.

Maybe I give too much credence to the media speculation.

Huckleberry1 · Mar 27, 2026

Ross12 said:
That logic doesn't really hold up. So you are saying he wants to be paid as the highest defensive player because... it's a lot of money? Who's to say that he doesn't want to be paid as the highest player, period, then? That's even MORE money? He wants QB money!!! It's the MOST money!!!! I mean, it's a lot to leave on the table, man!

Right on the money. And he's defending it by saying he's just speculating. The truth of the matter, however, is that 90% of posts here are speculation, and expecting someone to back their speculation up with something to support that speculation is the norm, and by no means unfair. The league year only started 2 weeks ago, and negotiating a deal that will come in at over 100 million takes time. There is absolutely nothing to support Karp's suggestion that Gonzalez wants Myles Garrett money, and it will be more than surprising if his deal isn't in the same area as te other top cornerbacks.

Huckleberry1 · Mar 27, 2026

Stu Pidassle said:
Maybe I give too much credence to the media speculation.

I hope you haven't been listening to Felger, because that ******* just makes **** up to make fans angry.

PatsFanInVa · Mar 27, 2026

At the more prestige positions (but not only those positions) we long ago lost the ability to figure out what goes on in any party’s mind. No no! He’s worth more! I mean, compared to what? The only answer is the other players who compete for the same cap dollars in a zero-sum game. Other than comparative respect money, nobody is going to be saying “Chinese? It’s tempting guys but I better stick with my budget gourmet.”

I know this adds nothing, but I’ll note it adds nothing to a great big nothing to begin with. Yay us! Pick us!

We do have one thing you can’t replace - I think that with Vrabes, guys sense NE is a good place to be & a place they might get a ring.

Mysterious intangibles are huge precisely because nobody has any actual need for 90+ percent of the money in any decent nfl contract (not league minimum, with which marginal guys have to figure out how to be set for as long as possible often without playing a down.)

Tunescribe · Mar 27, 2026

Thelonious said:
Yeah. He's a passive aggressive *******, it seems to me, based on his manner with the press/pundits and so on. This is relevant only insofar as it might affect his play or his impact on the locker room. The team should reflect on this and make it part of their calculus as they consider what they will offer. It's a legitimate concern but I hope not a major one. Again, though, the team should decide what they are willing to pay him given this and other obviously more important factors, then stick to that number and, if he's unwilling to settle for that amount, trade him. We'd get a lot for him, no doubt, and those proceeds might well be of equal or greater value to the team than Gonzales would be. If they settle on the right number, they will be fine either way.

I'd stop short of calling the kid a passive-aggressive a-hole. I think he is just immature and maybe a tad introverted/insecure on a personal level. He's only 23, you know what they say about the human brain not being fully developed 'til age 25.

Stu Pidassle · Mar 27, 2026

Huckleberry1 said:
I hope you haven't been listening to Felger, because that ******* just makes **** up to make fans angry.

If I do I have my contrarian filter on, LOL

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 27, 2026

Stu Pidassle said:
I love watching Gonzo play and want to see him to make his money. That said, I have a hard time embracing him as a favorite player because he has generated too much drama with his focus on making business decisions. Why are most elite cornerbacks and WR divas?

This must be a bait post?
Can’t be serious.

DaBruinz · Mar 27, 2026

I'm wondering if the Patriots have told Gonzalez they are exercising the 5th year option even though it doesn't have to be announced until May 1st?

I also wonder if Gonzalez wants to make up the $15M difference between his and Witherspoon's initial contracts..

DaBruinz · Mar 27, 2026

maust said:
Worth pointing out the term 'short money' is relative for year 5. Due to his success the 5th year option for Gonzalez is > $18M, making it the 5th-6th highest on the team. Certainly it's 'short' compared to $35-40M but it's Romeo Doubs money and @ 4 times higher than his 4th year which at < 5M is decidedly 'short money' for a player of his caliber

I think when they said "short money" they were referring to the fact that the next 3 years are, essentially 1yr deals. You have year 4, which is the final year of the original contract and last year with signing bonus amortization, then you have the 5th year option which is a guaranteed salary and nothing more. And the Franchise tag. Which is, again, a guaranteed salary and nothing more.

DaBruinz · Mar 27, 2026

Stu Pidassle said:
The best example was last year and his hamstring injury. There were many reports that he waited longer than necessary to ensure that he didn't compromise his bargaining position by playing at less than 100%.

What reports were these that stated that Gonzalez waited longer than necessary? It was the TEAM'S decision as to when Gonzalez took the field. It also seems like it was the correct decision since, for the first time in 3 years, Gonzalez didn't end up on the IR.

Thelonious · Mar 27, 2026

Tunescribe said:
I'd stop short of calling the kid a passive-aggressive a-hole. I think he is just immature and maybe a tad introverted/insecure on a personal level. He's only 23, you know what they say about the human brain not being fully developed 'til age 25.

If the teams decide he's likely to grow up and stop being such a tool, then the issue is moot. But the fact is some people maintain their assholery for a lifetime. If the team concludes that is likely to be the case with Gonzalez, they should adjust their valuation of him accordingly.

More broadly, I might suggest that our expectations generally of young adults have declined to a degree which is as dangerous as it is decadent. Perhaps if those in their twenties are as cognitively limited as you suggest, they should not be allowed to vote.

Huckleberry1 · Mar 27, 2026

Stu Pidassle said:
Maybe I give too much credence to the media speculation.

I think that's probably true. Vrabel went on record saying he kept Gonzalez out to protect him, and that Gonzalez wanted to get back on the field.

203Pat · Mar 27, 2026

n1997y said:
Pats need to stop waiting around and just put a gun to his head, right?

Maybe he’s not going to accept any deal that isn’t totally crazy irresponsible spending by the team, until he sees what all the other CBs on the market end up getting?

He could have decided he’s going be the last to sign, and not considering anything until then. Is that the team’s fault?

Or maybe he’s decided he wants to hit the open market…

Huckleberry1 · Mar 27, 2026

DaBruinz said:
What reports were these that stated that Gonzalez waited longer than necessary? It was the TEAM'S decision as to when Gonzalez took the field. It also seems like it was the correct decision since, for the first time in 3 years, Gonzalez didn't end up on the IR.

Vrabel said he kept him out when Gonzalez wanted to get back on the field. Gonzalez has been a model citizen throughout his time both at Oregon and New England.

p8ryts · Mar 27, 2026

Tunescribe said:
I'd stop short of calling the kid a passive-aggressive a-hole. I think he is just immature and maybe a tad introverted/insecure on a personal level. He's only 23, you know what they say about the human brain not being fully developed 'til age 25.

I think you have a point with his personality. I only have one game that I thought he really stood out and that was the Super Bowl. He's had some other good games, but none as good as that one. Still, I'm not a fan of these big contracts to one player. To the quarterback yes, if its Mahomes, Allen. Maye isn't in their class yet. He could be, and if he ever gets some decent blocking, he just might be.

Real fan 02 · Mar 27, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
What if I told you it's the same camp?

(They share the same agent)

Also Mcduffie & Gonzo are represented by CAA football..

Real fan 02 · Mar 27, 2026

p8ryts said:
I think you have a point with his personality. I only have one game that I thought he really stood out and that was the Super Bowl. He's had some other good games, but none as good as that one. Still, I'm not a fan of these big contracts to one player. To the quarterback yes, if its Mahomes, Allen. Maye isn't in their class yet. He could be, and if he ever gets some decent blocking, he just might be.

The owners have as much to do with the contracts because the cap continues to climb and thus so don't players contracts.. QB, CB,WR,EDGE, LT are premium positions that are going to command massive contracts..

Having any singular player at anyone of this positions is going to command top dollar.. the NFL knows this, the owners know this and so doesn't the players..

As for Drake he doesn't have to be in the class of Mahomes or Allen..however he's ascending to an elite top 10 QB and that alone commands a salary commensurate.. for example Drake took this team to the superbowl in year 2 if his career.. Dak hasn't ever sniffed one.. nor has Jackson or Allen.. however they are still top QBs so the salary comes with it..

Drake Will see north of 60 million..

105	5K

228	30K

111	25K

Gonzo signaling…

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