Biggest Overreaction From Patriots Minicamp, And Why You Don't Need To Worry
Biggest Overreaction From Patriots Minicamp, And Why You Don't Need To Worry
The New England Patriots will get a deal done with their superstar in due time.Ethan Hurwitz|
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New England PatriotsChristian Gonzalez has earned himself a shot at a record-breaking contract from the New England Patriots this offseason, and rightfully so.
The cornerback has catapulted himself into the conversation of being the best player at his position in the league. He's been named to an All-Pro Team and a Pro Bowl since being drafted 17th overall back in 2023. His superb showing in Super Bowl LX highlighted his abilities on a national stage.
Gonzalez won't be going anywhere.
He wants to remain in New England. The Patriots want him to remain in New England. The desire to keep the 24-year-old around for the long-term future is mutual.
So it's not surprising that Gonzalez didn't take the field for any competitive drills during the Patriots' three-day mandatory minicamp earlier this month. While he did participate in individual drills and warmups, once team reps began, off to the sideline he went.
Don't Worry About Gonzo's Future
That is not a cause for concern at all. No need to overreact.
Gonzalez has the possibility of receiving the largest contract in NFL history for a cornerback, potentially surpassing $30 million a year. Right now, he's set to play the fourth of his five seasons on a rookie contract at $2.259 million.
What if the superstar cornerback had gotten tangled up at practice, or slipped during coverage? He could have easily kissed that contract out the window. It's smart for Gonzalez to hold into the practices. One wrong turn and those lofty contract negotiations would have gone sideways.
But both sides want him to stay, so there's no use of worrying about it just yet.
"I hope we get something done," Gonzalez said at minicamp. "I've said this multiple times -- I've been drafted here; I want to be rewarded as a Patriot. I love this city. So of course I want to be here."
The Patriots did pick up Gonzalez's fifth year option earlier in the offseason, giving them plenty of time to negotiate further. He'll remain tied to the organization through the 2027 season. There's plenty of time to figure something out, though it could get a bit messy if he starts to miss training camp practices deep into July and August.
"We Have A Long Time To The Season"
Gonzalez isn't worried about that just yet.
"We have a long time to the season," Gonzalez said. "We're still pretty early in the offseason. I'm focused on being here for the team, fulfill my role and what I'm here for this week, and focus on that."
The Patriots don't get to the Super Bowl last season without Gonzalez's contributions on the field. The blue chip defender is one of the few players on this roster that you could make an argument down the line that -- should his career continue at this trajectory -- he could earn a spot in the Patriots Hall of Fame.
He's that good, and that's why this deal will (should) get hammered out eventually.
Gonzalez knows his worth, and won't risk injury for it. The Patriots' brass is well aware of that worth too. If you've bought a No. 0 jersey in the last few years, don't start worrying just yet. It should get worked out soon.
"Contracts are part of professional sports, I understand that," head coach Mike Vrabel said earlier in the offseason "But I also know that those should remain private. Like any contract negotiation, you want to make sure that everybody feels like they get something out of it, and I’ll leave it at that."
Published 1 hour ago | Modified 36 minutes ago
ETHAN HURWITZEthan Hurwitz is a writer for Patriots on SI. He works to find out-of-the-box stories that change the way you look at sports. He’s covered the behind-the-scenes discussions behind Ivy League football, how a stuffed animal helped a softball team’s playoff chances and tracked down a fan who caught a historic hockey stick. Ethan graduated from Quinnipiac University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism, and oversaw The Quinnipiac Chronicle’s sports coverage for almost three years.
Follow HurwitzSportsBadenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
