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Could the Patriots trade Stefon Diggs?
New England Patriots legendary safety Rodney Harrison gave insight into what he would do with the contract extension for corner Christian Gonzalez. MassLive’s Karen Guregian spoke with Harrison, and reported his thought process on this.
Gonzalez has been a major part of the Patriots’ secondary since he was drafted by the organization in 2023. That is breakup season in 2024, one started in 16 games. He recorded 59 total tackles, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions. He finished as a second-team All-Pro that year.
This past season, Gonzalez played in 14 games. The corner ecorded 69 total tackles and 10 passes defended. Although he had no interceptions, he had stout coverage skills. Gonzalez was named to the 2026 Pro Bowl for his efforts.
Gonzalez has 145 tackles, 24 passes defended, and three interceptions over the course of his career. He was a bit of a steal for the Patriots in the 2023 NFL draft. He was selected 17th overall that year, in a development that shocked many.
Now, he is up for a major payday. If Harrison were in the Patriots’ position, he would pay the man.
“I’m paying him. I’m not letting a young guy like that go,” Harrison said Thursday. “The only thing I’ve said about him, personally, is sometimes he loses focus a little bit when he’s going against lesser talent, but the kid can play. And if you want that level, if you want a shutdown corner, or a corner that can match up with No. 1, that’s what it’s going to cost you, especially with him coming off this season.
“If you’re going to sign him, this is the time to sign him. You still got Drake (Maye) for another few years before you have to pay him.”
Harrison Established Himself as New England Patriots Legend
Harrison was a key player for the Patriots during their first dynasty. The safety signed as a free agent with the Patriots on March 12, 2003, and started in 15 games that year. He was a key part of the Super Bowl titles of the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and showed his defensive prowess in 2004. He recorded four interceptions during the 2004 playoff run, and stepped up in big moments in a major way.
Development in the secondary has been a calling card for the Patriots for quite some time. Pro Football Hall of Famer Ty Law is a perfect example. So too is 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stefon Gilmore. The Patriots have been able to get the most out of the corner spots for the better part of the last decade.
Gonzalez following in footsteps of legends
Now, Gonzalez looks to be following that same trajectory. He was thought of as a stabilizing force in the secondary when he was first drafted. Now he has become a defensive staple and a cornerstone of the Patriots’ rebuild. Gonzalez has often been grouped with the likes of Drake Maye as a key part of not only the Patriots’ rebuild but also a cornerstone of the team’s corner position.
Gonzalez’s contract extension will certainly be a storyline to follow the course of the off-season. It would be in the Patriots’ best interest to get a deal done. Gonzalez is in the prime of his career with an opportunity to grow and get better. The Patriots have been in this position before with several of their stars in the past. They have let some more go, while others have stayed. The corner is due for a large contract extension, given his accolades and statistics from his first three seasons. It will be up to the Patriots to either pay up or watch him become one of the most desired corners on the market.
Danny Jaillet Danny Jaillet is a sportswriter with more than 15 years experience in the industry. He has been featured on Fox Sports, USA Today, and Yahoo Sports among others. He graduated from Worcester State University with a B.A. in communications and a minor in writing. More about Danny Jaillet
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