Christian Gonzalez extension would end Patriots' ugly 14-year trend

The New England Patriots have not hung on to first-round draft picks in recent years.

The Patriots have selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 10 of the last 14 years. Of the 11 selections that New England has made in that span, only linebacker Dont’a Hightower was given a second contract after his rookie deal. Hightower signed a four-year, $35.5 million extension with the Patriots in 2017.

As Pats Planet Media’s Michael Rodnick pointed out, the Patriots did not agree to a deal with any of their last seven first-round draft picks.

Implications-wise, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. The Patriots selected the 23-year-old with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $15.1 million dollar deal with the franchise in 2023. Gonzalez was named First-Team All-Pro in 2024. He helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl in 2026.

Gonzalez has the option to sign a contract extension with New England this year, prior to his club option in 2027. Doing so would end the 14-year period in which the Patriots have not agreed to terms on a second deal with a first-rounder.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Christian Gonzalez extension would end Patriots' ugly 14-year trend