What happened: New England and Christian Gonzalez agreed to a four-year, $135 million extension. The deal arrived before the season opener, a deadline Albert Breer said drove negotiations.
Why it matters: The agreement settles Gonzalez's contract as New England enters the 2026 regular season. It establishes a new benchmark for future top-end cornerback negotiations.
By the numbers: Gonzalez's $33.75 million average tops Devon Witherspoon's $33 million mark by $750,000. The position's leading annual value rose $2.75 million from Trent McDuffie's $31 million deal, with Denzel Ward reaching $31.1 million between them.
What to watch: The filed contract structure will show how the $102 million guarantee is distributed across the extension.