We are just hours away from the Patriots' 2026-27 season kicking off, and the front office took care of a major distraction by finally getting Christian Gonzalez’s extension taken care of.
Who won? Both sides did, by acquiescing with a Week 1 deadline looming, though the organization actually surrendered more than the player did. The Pats finally came out of the bunker they dug by capitulating in three areas: average annual value, guaranteed structure, and dumping their favored per-game roster bonuses for each of the next two seasons.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez finally got off the hill of superseding all the metrics in Devon Witherspoon’s recent deal. He took less than the $59 million that will be paid out to the Seahawks corner over the first two years of the contract, instead “settling” for just south of $54 million. That still earned him a massive $33 million raise over that period, which matches what his buddy Witherspoon got. The fact that it comes in the form of a signing bonus that is paid immediately is a feather in Gonzalez’s cap.
In addition, the guarantees for years 3 and 4 of the extension vest earlier than Witherspoon’s, which increases the likelihood that money will come Gonzalez’s way, barring a massive dropoff in play, injury, or an unforeseen off-field scenario.
Meanwhile, the Pats didn’t feel compelled to go beyond that $53/$54 million marker because they felt like a) Seattle went somewhere it shouldn’t have (a nearly 20% increase over the previous high set by Trent McDuffie) and b) Gonzalez’s draft position was lower and his resume, while impressive, isn’t on Witherspoon’s level just yet. There was also the threat of pulling the offer. However, that would have strengthened Gonzalez’s resolve to sit out the opener, which, despite him traveling to Seattle, was not only being considered but, based on information I have gathered, likely would have been the result. Imagine the chaos that would have caused?
Now, on to more pressing matters: a game (amen). Some thoughts/statisitical nuggets for you to chew on before kickoff:
Gonzalez held Jaxson Smith-Njigba to one reception for 16 yards in the Super Bowl, though he was beaten twice for would-be touchdowns, only to have Sam Darnold fail to deliver the ball on time. That, my friends, is fact, not opinion, not only culled from watching the game live and then again on tape, but also from talking to coaches. Great recovery, but Gonzalez will need to be even sharper tonight because, despite the Seahawks wanting to diversify their passing offense, Sam Darnold spams throws to Smith-Njigba. Period. End of story.
Will Nick Emmanwori play? This is a massive storyline leading into this game. That freak of an athlete was cooking bacon and eggs in the Pats’ heads back in February. Despite being an okay blitzer, the protection was consistently slid in the safety’s direction, allowing others to eat. There is no one else on the roster capable of doing what Emmanwori does. To wit:
The Seahawks held opponents to a league-low 5.9 yards per pass attempt in the 203 dropbacks Emmanwori was on the field, and also leaned heavily into that voodoo that Drake Maye couldn’t figure out last season: cover 6. Seattle played that coverage more than 25% of the time with Emmanwori (30% through the first three quarters of the Super Bowl). Without him playing, the number dropped to 17.6%.
The second-year pro’s size and physicality also allowed head coach/play caller Mike Macdonald to play the run with lighter boxes and yet still be effective. Per Warren Sharp, the league allowed 4.7 yards per carry with five or more defensive backs on the field last season. The Seahawks were a full yard better, stingiest in the league (3.7). Better yet, it wasn’t based on a limited number of snaps. They were in sub packages over 92% of the time. That’s crazy impressive.
Much was made of A.J. Brown losing a step last season, but did you know he went for 95 or more yards four times between weeks 11 and 17 (and sat in week 18 for rest)? Combine that with a very springy summer - the Pats didn’t manage his reps at all - and Brown appears in line for a big season. This also ties to Emmanwori’s availability, because if he’s out, Witherspoon will get even more time in the slot. That could lead to Josh McDaniels leaning on Brown more as the ‘X’ than repping him as much in the slot as I believe they want to this season. This is a matchup league, and will require a little cat-and-mouse from the play callers.
Zak Kuhr will be eyeballing ways to attack rookie running back Jadarian Price in pass protection. At just a shade over 200 pounds, Price did not prove to be very effective in blitz pickup while at Notre Dame. And while the 2026 first-rounder will probably come off the field for backup George Holani in obvious passing situations, there will undoubtedly be a handful of opportunities to stress Price. Based on the overall experience of the Pats' front 7, particularly Robert Spillane in the middle, I could see an opportunity or three to wreck a play and speed up or turn over Sam Darnold. Think back to the way the Pats attacked Devonta Freeman in Super Bowl LI. That Dont’a Hightower strip-sack of Matt Ryan helped change the game. Just saying…
Price also fumbled four times for the Fighting Irish last year, despite not being a heavy-volume back.
Patriots elevate two for Seahawks game
Patriots announced today that they have elevated RB Lan Larison and P Mitch Wishnowsky to the active roster from the practice squad.