The NFL has a new highest-paid corner.
The New England Patriots and Christian Gonzalez have agreed to a record four-year contract extension worth $135 million with $102 million guaranteed, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.
Jordan Schultz was the first to report the agreement, which is the largest ever reached with a defenseman. Two people with knowledge of the deal confirmed it to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Gonzalez, 24, was a pro in 2024 and was one of the most important pieces of the Patriots’ defense last season as they returned to the playoffs and reached the Super Bowl.
In 2025, he had 69 tackles and 10 passes defensed in 14 games, then added 19 tackles and seven passes defensed in the playoffs.
Gonzalez made headlines over the weekend when he suggested he might not play Wednesday against the Seattle Seahawks without an extension.
“I’m here right now,” Gonzalez said Saturday. “I’m here. As I said, I am concerned about this practice, focused on it. I will always be where my feet are and do what I have to do.”
Now that his contract is up and running, Gonzalez should once again play an important role in the Patriots’ defense this season.