Christian Gonzalez Is The Highest-Paid Cornerback In NFL History After Signing A $135 Million Patriots Extension
Christian Gonzalez and the New England Patriots reached agreement late Monday night on a four-year, $135 million extension with $102 million guaranteed, the richest contract in Patriots franchise history and the largest ever given to a cornerback in the NFL, topping Devon Witherspoon's $132 million deal with Seattle signed last month.
Gonzalez's $33.75 million average annual value sets the new market. "THANK YOU LORD! PATS NATION LETS GO," he posted on Instagram.
The deal was agreed just hours before the Patriots fly to Seattle for Wednesday night's regular-season opener, a Super Bowl LX rematch against the Seahawks, the team that beat New England on the same night Gonzalez had three pass breakups in his first Super Bowl appearance.
The 24-year-old was the 17th overall pick in 2023 out of Oregon. His rookie season was cut short by a torn labrum after four games.
He returned in 2024 to earn Second Team All-Pro honors, made the Pro Bowl in 2025 and was at his absolute best in the playoffs, an interception in the AFC Championship win over Denver, then the three pass breakups in the Super Bowl that kept the game closer than it could have been.
He and Devon Witherspoon share the same agent. Both are now the two highest-paid corners in history. Witherspoon's team won the Super Bowl. Gonzalez's team wants it back.
