Gonzo Contract Poll

Pape · Jun 4, 2026

upstater1 said:
Only thing I would add is that both Witherspoon and Gonzalez are in another category than McDuffie. I'd say they clearly surpass him.

The cap is up 7-8% over the last year so if you factor that into what Stingley got more than a year ago, $32m sounds like a good # for the top CB. I just think Witherspoon and Gonzalez are both better than Stingley and McDuffie.

TommyD4207 said:
Stingley's very good. I think Gonzalez is better, but at least there's a discussion to be had.
McDuffie is certainly at least a tier below that, maybe more.

not worried about the relative strengths & weaknesses of the individual players... right now they are all among the top CBs in the league... the apy of a contract is what a lot of people use as the measuring stick, when it really should be the guaranteed dollars...

mcduffie got a 4 year deal, stingley got a 3 yr extension - mcduffie got 50 million in guaranteed money, stingley 48 million...

so gonzo may not jump the apy figures by a large margin as long as the guaranteed dollars top the market as well...

TommyD4207 · Jun 4, 2026

Pape said:
not worried about the relative strengths & weaknesses of the individual players... right now they are all among the top CBs in the league... the apy of a contract is what a lot of people use as the measuring stick, when it really should be the guaranteed dollars...

mcduffie got a 4 year deal, stingley got a 3 yr extension - mcduffie got 50 million in guaranteed money, stingley 48 million...

so gonzo may not jump the apy figures by a large margin as long as the guaranteed dollars top the market as well...

Family · Jun 4, 2026

The only thing that really matters is guaranteed money.

If the rest matters it means he's played better than his contract.

upstater1 · Jun 4, 2026

Pape said:
not worried about the relative strengths & weaknesses of the individual players... right now they are all among the top CBs in the league... the apy of a contract is what a lot of people use as the measuring stick, when it really should be the guaranteed dollars...

mcduffie got a 4 year deal, stingley got a 3 yr extension - mcduffie got 50 million in guaranteed money, stingley 48 million...

so gonzo may not jump the apy figures by a large margin as long as the guaranteed dollars top the market as well...

Stingley, however, just redid his contract to lower the cap number.

In return, they fully guaranteed the entire contract to 2029. $90 million guaranteed.

That's going to have a huge impact in these negotiations, especially since Gonzo has missed a few games to injuries.

Wozzy · Jun 4, 2026

Make him one of the top five highest paid CB’s in the league, because that’s what he is.

Ring 6 · Jun 4, 2026

Brady85-23 said:
Never go full flat earth. You have to draw the line somewhere

Yet you exactly didnt

Water Boy · Jun 4, 2026

upstater1 said:
Stingley, however, just redid his contract to lower the cap number.

In return, they fully guaranteed the entire contract to 2029. $90 million guaranteed.

That's going to have a huge impact in these negotiations, especially since Gonzo has missed a few games to injuries.

I'm envisioning Gonzo collecting his $40 million in street clothes with a stubborn hammy during the heart of the season.

Wozzy · Jun 4, 2026

Water Boy said:
I'm envisioning Gonzo collecting his $40 million in street clothes with a stubborn hammy during the heart of the season.

Looked pretty good in the Super Bowl… arguably the best player on either team.

Water Boy · Jun 4, 2026

Wozzy said:
Looked pretty good in the Super Bowl… arguably the best player on either team.

No doubt. When you are talking about a contract of this magnitude, though, durability has to be a consideration.

Wozzy · Jun 4, 2026

Water Boy said:
No doubt. When you are talking about a contract of this magnitude, though, durability has to be a consideration.

True, the last two years he’s been mostly healthy. He’ll hopefully invest more in keeping his body healthy and pliable. He should talk to that Brady guy.

Triumph · Jun 4, 2026

Assuming that Gonzo Inc. is unreasonable there is always the option of going the Chiefs/McDuffie route trading Gonzo and reloading @ CB in the 2027 draft. Premise being getting back to square 1 with an all pro CB in a affordable 3 year window. Gonzo is great and Id hate to see him leave, but the Pats were looking for a CB when they found him.

The end game is Super Bowl Championship and there are lots of moving parts. I do not see the Pats going back to California this coming February even with Gonzo.

Just sayin.

condon84 · Jun 4, 2026

Whatever the highest paid CB is getting is what Gonzo is probably asking for. Is he worth that? It doesn't matter when that's the market.

Water Boy · Jun 4, 2026

condon84 said:
Whatever the highest paid CB is getting is what Gonzo is probably asking for. Is he worth that? It doesn't matter when that's the market.

The speculation is that he's looking for much more than that.

Phil Perry points to the fact that he essentially erased JSN in the Super Bowl who's making $42 million.

LightSkinSmurf · Jun 4, 2026

Wasn't JSN hurt going into the SB? Or is my memory failing me.

condon84 · Jun 4, 2026

Water Boy said:
The speculation is that he's looking for much more than that.

Phil Perry points to the fact that he essentially erased JSN in the Super Bowl who's making $42 million.

If it's an unreasonable number and will be harmful to the team long term, then I suspect Vrabel and Wolf will do what's best for the team. That being said, I hope that's not the case and they can come to terms with a number that's in line with the current market.

Also want to add, as good as Gonzo is, he's not as good as Pat Surtain. Or has not shown that he's on that level. He could get there but right now it's Surtain and then everyone else.

Triumph · Jun 4, 2026

Water Boy said:
The speculation is that he's looking for much more than that.

Phil Perry points to the fact that he essentially erased JSN in the Super Bowl who's making $42 million.

A million more a year above what McDuffie earns wont suffice.

Remember when Gronk thought that he was the highest paid TE and then Shannon Sharpe opened up his yap?

mgteich · Jun 4, 2026

condon84 said:
Whatever the highest paid CB is getting is what Gonzo is probably asking for. Is he worth that? It doesn't matter when that's the market.

Sure, it matters. Teams must decide how to use their cap money and their resources. If the team isn't willing to pay Gonzo what he wants and others will, then the team will trade him for a couple of firsts and use less money on a lesser CB.

Would the team be better or worse with 2 firsts (or more) and the money to be pay someone else? After all, if the issue is the market, then the team can pay someone else and have the additional firsts.

I believe that a deal will be signed. If this isn't the case, it is a huge failure of management. If they couldn't get a deal, then we should have signed and drafted a corner and been in a situation to trade Gonzo.

mgteich · Jun 4, 2026

I think that we posters were wrong when we suggested that the team should wait to negotiate. They should have negotiated before free agency and certainly before the draft. Of course, like the situation with Brown, there may already be an agreement in principle.

Thelonious · Jun 4, 2026

Don't just offer it: stick to it. He would net a great deal in a trade. In my mind, there are incipient questions about his physical fragility, his attitude, his toughness: enough to give one pause, but not enough that he won't yield a huge haul in a trade. I don't think we need be at all squeamish about including the trade option in our thinking. If it becomes clear Gonzo is convinced that his compensation ought be at the top of all defensive players irrespective of position rather than at the top of the CB pay scale (my vote: $32.5-35 million) there's no reason to dally-dally. Trade the fragile beast. Top-rank CB's are rare, but very good, serviceable ones are not. It ain't "Apres Gonzo, le deluge." It's "Apres Gonzo, a suitable if lesser alternative." Pick a price and have the Moxie to stick to it.

Thelonious · Jun 4, 2026

TommyD4207 said:
Why would you trade a 24-year old all-pro cornerback on his rookie contract, coming off his best year - one of the top-3 CBs in football at worst....for anything?

Yes, I would, if his demand are exorbitant.

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Gonzo Contract Poll

Assuming a 4 year contract what's the max AAV the Patriots should offer Gonzalez

under $30 million

$30-32.5 million

$32.5-35 million

$35-37.5 million

$38 million

$39 million

$40 million

$41 million

$42 million

$43 million

$44 million

$45 million

>$45 million

RLKAG

This poll sucks

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