The Official Gonzo Extension Watch Thread

[JoeSixPat]

My guess is the team wants him to play


Problem with Bedard's take is good CBs getting an extension before their 4th season is starting to be a trend. Stingley and Gardner got new contracts before their 4th year and Surtain got an extension before his 4th year.

Gonzalez or at least his agent/agency is sitting there going well these guys got it and my guy is as good or better. Also Gonzalez and Surtain are repped by the same agency so it's probably been a point used in talks.

Well the system is pretty much designed that way

They get paid rookie contracts and if they're not worth it, they don't get the 5th year extension for a high salary. If they're worth that high salary even for one year, they're worth keeping beyond that so the teams have an incentive to bring the 5th year amount down from the $18 million Gonzales is due to get with an extension - note that Sauce Gardner only got a $14 million signing bonus and a $9 million cap hit for this year - but effectively is guaranteed $70 mil over 3 years

Keep in mind that Gonzo has only made $12 million over his career so far, so he can double that with his signing bonus on an extension while still saving the Pats up to $10 million on the cap next year compared to his 5th year option.

This is the way the NFL and players have designed it and for a player who is worth the 5 year extension, it's fair to both sides, which is why this gets done. And yes, his agent will probably wait until Witherspoon is signed, but they'll both just get a small raise over what Sauce Gardner got - though they'd better hope their contract isn't designed to be traded like his was.