Christian Gonzalez wants to get paid.
That's an obvious point, but one Gonzalez might've driven home Wednesday night while attending the Boston Celtics' 119-109 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sitting courtside at TD Garden, Gonzalez appeared on the Jumbotron and, after waiving to fans, used his fingers to make the money/dollar-sign gesture.
The moment, captured in video below from WEEI Celtics reporter Justin Turpin, has been widely interpreted as Gonzalez urging the Patriots to give him a new contract.
Christian Gonzalez is in the house for Celtics / Thunder pic.twitter.com/IXRYL9T9jd
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 26, 2026
Gonzalez was drafted 17th overall in 2023 and since has developed into one of the NFL's top cornerbacks. With three seasons under his belt, he now is eligible for his first contract extension. Many expect New England to reward him at some point this offseason, and recent reporting indicates the two sides have had preliminary negotiations.
The Patriots also have until May 1 to exercise Gonzalez's fifth-year option, which would put him under contract through the 2027 campaign. In recent seasons, teams have exercised the option before working out a true contract extension months later.
It remains to be seen how this story ends, but it would be a surprise if Gonzalez doesn't end the offseason as one of football's highest-paid cornerbacks.
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