New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has explained the reasons behind his huge contract offer to Christian Gonzalez.
The Patriots drafted Gonzalez in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has since developed into an elite cornerback.
The 24-year-old has two years remaining on his contract after the Patriots picked up his $18.1 million fifth-year option.
Gonzalez is now in negotiations with New England over a record-breaking long-term extension, which he has not yet accepted.
Robert Kraft explains historic Christian Gonzalez contract offer
While the Patriots’ exact contract offer to Gonzalez has not been revealed, Kraft has provided some explanation.
The Pats are willing to make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in the league, which would mean more than $30m per season.
This valuation was established when the Los Angeles Rams recently signed Trent McDuffie to a four-year $124m deal.
Should Gonzalez accept the Patriots’ offer, he would also become the highest-paid player in franchise history.
Kraft has now explained why they are willing to go to such great lengths to keep the Pro Bowl cornerback on the roster.
“We love Christian Gonzalez. We love him as a player and as a person,” Kraft told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“That’s why we’ve made him an offer that makes him the highest-paid NFL player ever in that position (cornerback). Coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in the Patriots’ franchise history.
“So, we’re glad that we drafted him, and he’s developed here. We hope he’ll be with us for a long time.”
It remains to be seen whether Gonzalez will commit his future to the Patriots, but it would certainly be a risk to reject the deal.
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