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]

Can't believe the Patriots play JSN and Seattle to start the season.
If Gonzo isn't out there, people are going to feel the heat.

 

[mgteich]

I’m not on Gonzos side here, nor am I on Krafts
I’m on the fans side, and what’s best for us is getting the deal done.
Regarding what’s been reported, how accurate is any of it? None of us know.
Just because Kraft said they offered him a deal to be the highest paid, doesn’t mean it’s the right deal. His words could’ve meant many things.
Would Gonzo sit out……certainly hope not.

I agree that it is in the fan's interest to pay $50M a year if he will play this year. For most fans, all that seems to matter is that Gonzo plays in 2026.
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Kraft and Vrabel want to do what is in the team's interest.

 

[Zuma]

That is 100% fine if Gonzo agrees to play under those conditions.

Playing this year and risking injury just isn't a good business decision.

Yes, he has to play a couple of games to make the season count, but je doesn't need to do more than that.
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And yes, the team can franchise him. Even then he has options, that would result in him waiting and then signing. '
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If no long-term deal can be made, I suggest that he and the team will agree on a roster bonus to get him to play this year, with a condition of a no franchise tag after the season. The team would probably be off better of trading him. Yes, our 2026 SB chance would be less, but our 2027 and 2028 chances might be much better.

I have a higher opinion of his character then some and believe he will honor his contract this year.

 

[mgteich]

Can't believe the Patriots play JSN and Seattle to start the season.
If Gonzo isn't out there, people are going to feel the heat.

only for fans who expected us to win that game [If Gonzo is sitting out for Game 1, then he will be up for bids]

Should we pay Gonzo $50M a year if he thinks that this is the 2027 free agent market, even though he doesn't even have rights to that free agent market?

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I agree that it is in the fan's interest to pay $50M a year if he will play this year. For most fans, all that seems to matter is that Gonzo plays in 2026.
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Kraft and Vrabel want to do what is in the team's interest.

So now I said 50m?
S…t….r…..e…..t….c…..h

 

[mgteich]

So now I said 50m?
S…t….r…..e…..t….c…..h

You didn't say $50M.

I suggest that $50M isn't much of a stretch to think that Gonzo believes that he might get that much in the 2027 free agent market. Of course, he won't be in the 2027 free agent market. There will be a deal or a trade.

How much do you think that we should be willing to pay, and how much guaranteed a full year before extension starts.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

You didn't say $50M.

I suggest that $50M isn't much of a stretch to think that Gonzo believes that he might get that much in the 2027 free agent market. Of course, he won't be in the 2027 free agent market. There will be a deal or a trade.

How much do you think that we should be willing to pay, and how much guaranteed a full year before extension starts.

I’m not a cap cruncher, so I’m not qualified to say.
I would say a deal close to what Spoon got is the ballpark.
If he’s looking for a Linderbaum “set the market” type deal, then that would obviously be a problem.

 

[upstater1]

only for fans who expected us to win that game [If Gonzo is sitting out for Game 1, then he will be up for bids]

Should we pay Gonzo $50M a year if he thinks that this is the 2027 free agent market, even though he doesn't even have rights to that free agent market?

What does that have to do with my post?

I am saying it will put pressure on the front office to match the Witherspoon contract.

What is this $50m a year thing?

 

[TheRainMaker]

The one thing these NFL players love doing is suffering an injury right after they get paid.

 

[mgteich]

What does that have to do with my post?

I am saying it will put pressure on the front office to match the Witherspoon contract.

What is this $50m a year thing?

For starters, I am not questioning in any way the tactics of Gonzo or the team.
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I apologize, if you think that a deal equal to Witherspoon's is enough, then I strongly disagree.

Sure, we can make the offer, which is almost assuredly a non-starter.
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I jumped ahead. So, I'll step back in steps.

1) Witherspoon got signed, starting the real negotiations with Gonzo, who almost all agreed wouldn't accept a contract that isn't better.

2) The team will make the perfunctory offer to match that deal, and then the negotiations can continue.

3) Both sides have long ago thought through these negotiations.

4) The OPEN question for me (and the team) is how much is the team willing to pay Gonzo to sign a long-term deal.

5) My guess is that $50MAAV is too much for most posters and probably for the team? I think that his agent might start with that as an estimate of what Gonzo might get as a 2027 free agent.

QUESTION 1
What should the team be willing to pay?

QUESTION
What should the team's strategy be? When if at all, should the team start negotiating with other teams?