Kevin Byard just made his feelings about the Christian Gonzalez situation VERY clear. And I love hearing this from one of the New England Patriots' captains. Byard was asked about Gonzalez's contract situation and said he expects Gonzo to be out there when New England opens the season against the Seattle Seahawks. Then he went even further. “Obviously I want him out there. I think we all do. We all want him to get paid.” And Byard isn't just hoping Gonzalez gets a new contract. He wants to see him become the highest-paid cornerback in football. After weeks of conflicting reports about where these negotiations actually stand, hearing that confidence from someone inside the Patriots locker room is certainly encouraging. We've heard from reporters. We've heard from Gonzalez's trainer. We've heard different opinions about whether the two sides are close or still have significant work to do. Now we're hearing from a Patriots captain who expects Gonzalez to be there. Then we're looking ahead to Week 1 against Seattle. Because what an opportunity this is for New England. The last time we saw these teams, the Seahawks bullied the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Now we get an immediate barometer for how much has changed. Drake Maye is healthy. Will Campbell gets another opportunity against a talented Seattle pass rush. And this time New England has A.J. Brown. Can Brown consistently create separation and win one-on-one? Can Maye and this offense look different? And how much of New England's Super Bowl struggles were connected to injuries versus problems that still need to be fixed? Win or lose, we're about to learn A LOT about the 2026 New England Patriots. #Patriots #NewEnglandPatriots #ChristianGonzalez #KevinByard #DrakeMaye #NFL Photo Credit: Eric Canha Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25.
Kevin Byard just made his feelings about the Christian Gonzalez situation VERY clear.
And I love hearing this from one of the New England Patriots' captains.
Byard was asked about Gonzalez's contract situation and said he expects Gonzo to be out there when New England opens the season against the Seattle Seahawks.
Then he went even further.
“Obviously I want him out there. I think we all do. We all want him to get paid.”
And Byard isn't just hoping Gonzalez gets a new contract.
He wants to see him become the highest-paid cornerback in football.
After weeks of conflicting reports about where these negotiations actually stand, hearing that confidence from someone inside the Patriots locker room is certainly encouraging.
We've heard from reporters.
We've heard from Gonzalez's trainer.
We've heard different opinions about whether the two sides are close or still have significant work to do.
Now we're hearing from a Patriots captain who expects Gonzalez to be there.
Then we're looking ahead to Week 1 against Seattle.
Because what an opportunity this is for New England.
The last time we saw these teams, the Seahawks bullied the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Now we get an immediate barometer for how much has changed.
Drake Maye is healthy.
Will Campbell gets another opportunity against a talented Seattle pass rush.
And this time New England has A.J. Brown.
Can Brown consistently create separation and win one-on-one?
Can Maye and this offense look different?
And how much of New England's Super Bowl struggles were connected to injuries versus problems that still need to be fixed?
Win or lose, we're about to learn A LOT about the 2026 New England Patriots.
#Patriots #NewEnglandPatriots #ChristianGonzalez #KevinByard #DrakeMaye #NFL
Photo Credit: Eric Canha
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For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25.