Patriots Extend Christian Gonzalez for $135 Million as He Readies Jaxon Smith-Njigba Rematch
Updated
Updated · Pats Pulpit · Sep 8
Patriots Extend Christian Gonzalez for $135 Million as He Readies Jaxon Smith-Njigba Rematch
2 articles · Updated · Pats Pulpit · Sep 8
Summary
$135 million over four years, with $102 million guaranteed, locked in Christian Gonzalez a day before New England opens the 2026 season against Seattle.
That opener renews his matchup with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whom Gonzalez largely contained in Super Bowl LX by allowing one catch in coverage and breaking up an end-zone pass.
Smith-Njigba still enters as the league's reigning Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards, plus 119 catches and 10 touchdowns last season.
The rematch also extends a longer rivalry: both Texans from the 2023 draft class have now landed $100 million-plus extensions and meet again on opening night.