Less than 24 hours ago, the Patriots had two contract situations on their hands. Now, one has been resolved, and the other is on the right track.
After a long dispute between the team and second-round pick Gabe Jacas, the two sides finally agreed on Jacas’s rookie contract. According to NFL insider Jordan Shultz, Jacas is set to make north of $8 million throughout the duration of his rookie deal.
The details of Jacas’s contract will be interesting to see. It can be assumed the disagreements lied in the guarantees, as all rookie contracts have a basic framework depending on where the player was picked. Those guaranteed money details are yet to come out.
While Patriots fans can rejoice at Jacas agreeing to his contract, there is no doubt he is behind. The second-round pick missed the entire spring and day one of training camp. One would have to assume he will make his debut tomorrow.
Unlike Jacas, Christian Gonzalez, who is actively negotiating an extension with the team, did not miss spring practices and does not have his contract signed. However, Patriots owner Robert Kraft provided an update on where the negotiations are at.
“We love Christian Gonzalez,” Kraft said. “We love him as a player, as a person. That’s why we’ve made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player ever to play that position.”
In addition to Kraft’s encouraging words, Gonzalez was a full participant at today’s training camp practice. This is a change from his limited status throughout mandatory mini camp and a good sign for Gonzalez’s pockets. A contract feels imminent between the two sides.
The Patriots’ two biggest off-the-field issues are all but dealt with, so now the team can focus on football and doing their jobs.