Cornerback Christian Gonzalez was the New England Patriots’ best player in the Super Bowl. In doing so, the cornerback removed any doubt: he not only deserves a contract extension, but a hefty one at that. A commentary.

The fact that the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks was so close for so long was mainly due to one player: cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

The pass defender did not allow a single catch by Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba when he was covering him. It was the icing on the cake of an outstanding season for the half-Colombian player. This offseason, the 2023 first-round pick’s contract can be extended for the first time. Anything less than that would be nonsense. What’s more, the Pro Bowler must get a record-breaking contract.

New England Patriots: Gonzalez delivers fabulous statistics

Of course, it’s difficult for a cornerback to produce noteworthy statistics. Interceptions and tackles are nice, but they only tell half the story.

However, his performance in the Super Bowl was exceptional: he covered an opponent 22 times in one-on-one situations and was only thrown at twice because he always covered his opponent. It was only logical that he defended both passes. Gonzalez was so good that the Seahawks desperately tried to move Smith-Njigba away from him. The star receiver finished the Super Bowl with 27 yards on ten balls thrown his way.

Gonzalez improved from game to game, allowing only one touchdown in coverage all season and stepping up again in the playoffs. Players who can perform at their best in the biggest game are what they’re looking for in New England. And elsewhere, of course.

Franchise cornerbacks: A New England Patriots tradition

He would also be continuing a tradition of outstanding cornerbacks at the Patriots: Ty Law, Asante Samuel, Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Stephon Gilmore – all of them can easily be described as franchise players. Law is a Hall of Famer, Gilmore won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019.

What could both have in common with Gonzalez? They received record-breaking contracts. Law in 1999 after his rookie contract, Gilmore in free agency in 2017.

Free agents: Eight Super Bowl stars available! The 30 best players on the market

Currently, Sauce Gardner of the Indianapolis Colts is the top earner with a total of $120 million, $30 million per year. Gonzalez actually has to top that – because he is definitely better than Gardner. And it can’t fail in terms of cap space either.

Advantage for both parties: Any record contract for “Agent Zero” would only start after the 2027 season, as the Patriots will undoubtedly exercise his fifth-year option. By then, the cap space will have been inflated to such an extent that the record contract will probably only be in the top 5, if at all.

If the Patriots learned one thing during the “dirty years” from 2020 to 2024, it’s that quality costs money.

And if Gonzalez has one thing, it’s quality.