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The Houston Texans reset the market for defensive backs on Monday after reportedly signing All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to a historic contract extension.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stingley agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension with the Texans, including $89 million in guaranteed money. The base salary of $30 million per year makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
So what does that mean for Patriots All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez?
It means he's going to be a very, very rich man in the near future. The Patriots might want to save some of that money they've been using to splurge on free agent talent for when Gonzalez becomes eligible for a contract extension in 2026.
They'll likely want to get a deal done as soon as possible and avoid kicking the can down the road and risking a ballooning price. An argument could have been made that Gonzalez was worthy of a First-Team All-Pro nod last season, even though he was listed as a Second-Team All-Pro player.
He has quickly proven himself to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league by shutting down some of the game's most elite receivers. He had strong outings against Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson last season.
By the end of the season, he racked up 59 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions.
It's hard to envision a scenario where Gonzalez doesn't match or maybe even surpass Stingley's contract numbers, especially if he continues to play at an elite level in 2025. He's a player the Patriots should clearly prioritize as a defensive star to build around.
It would also be hard to make sense of a historic contract being given to defensive tackle Milton Williams in free agency, while a drafted player like Gonzalez goes unrewarded. If anything, the news surrounding Stingley's extension should have the former Oregon standout grinning from ear to ear.
The next Brinks truck for a defensive back surely has Gonzalez's name on it.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: How Derek Stingley Jr.'s historic contract impacts Christian Gonzalez
Continue reading...
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Stingley agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension with the Texans, including $89 million in guaranteed money. The base salary of $30 million per year makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
So what does that mean for Patriots All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez?
It means he's going to be a very, very rich man in the near future. The Patriots might want to save some of that money they've been using to splurge on free agent talent for when Gonzalez becomes eligible for a contract extension in 2026.
They'll likely want to get a deal done as soon as possible and avoid kicking the can down the road and risking a ballooning price. An argument could have been made that Gonzalez was worthy of a First-Team All-Pro nod last season, even though he was listed as a Second-Team All-Pro player.
He has quickly proven himself to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league by shutting down some of the game's most elite receivers. He had strong outings against Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson last season.
By the end of the season, he racked up 59 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions.
It's hard to envision a scenario where Gonzalez doesn't match or maybe even surpass Stingley's contract numbers, especially if he continues to play at an elite level in 2025. He's a player the Patriots should clearly prioritize as a defensive star to build around.
It would also be hard to make sense of a historic contract being given to defensive tackle Milton Williams in free agency, while a drafted player like Gonzalez goes unrewarded. If anything, the news surrounding Stingley's extension should have the former Oregon standout grinning from ear to ear.
The next Brinks truck for a defensive back surely has Gonzalez's name on it.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: How Derek Stingley Jr.'s historic contract impacts Christian Gonzalez
Continue reading...
