The ended their biggest offseason distraction just hours before the regular season began. The Patriots agreed to a historic four-year, .
The deal also includes $102 million in guaranteed money. The deal averages $33.75 million per year, which makes Gonzalez both the highest-paid Patriot and the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
The Patriots reportedly tried to use the season opener as leverage during the negotiations. NFL insider Jordan Schultz that the team may have believed Gonzalez would lower his demands once Week 1 approached, especially with the Patriots preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks. However, Gonzalez never backed down from his $33.75 million annual target.
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“There was a sentiment within the Patriots organization that, as the season got closer and with the week one game against the Seahawks looming, Gonzalez would come off his number; he never did. He never wavered,” Schultz said.
Behind the scenes: The and CB got serious about a contract while the team was in the air on the way to Seattle! ✈️✈️By the time Gonzalez landed, he learned the deal was closing.
This is my story:
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report)
“His camp stayed true to their number $33.75 (per year). The Patriots, while they were en route to Seattle, essentially came up to the number, but they also knew that Gonzalez was an essential component to their defense and their hopes of repeating as AFC champs,” he further added.
With the Patriots traveling to Seattle for the opener, the team ultimately gave Gonzalez the number he wanted. Schultz explained that New England knew and could not afford to risk having its star cornerback hold out into the regular season.
The agreement allowed both sides to avoid that situation and gave the Patriots their defensive cornerstone for years to come.
Gonzalez’s decision to remain firm ultimately paid off in a major way. Rather than lowering his demands as the deadline approached, he and his representatives held their position until the Patriots agreed to meet it. The Patriots CB reset the market for elite NFL cornerbacks while securing his future in New England.
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