The Christian Gonzalez noise out of New England just got louder, and that’s exactly the kind of development that can make a team like the Giants start daydreaming in a hurry.
It started with the Patriots’ captain vote. Head coach Mike Vrabel said the six captains were chosen by the players, and Gonzalez was left out.
That matters because he’s still viewed as one of the best players on the roster, but his teammates didn’t put a “C” on his chest. The timing is what really stands out, though, because Gonzalez is already in the middle of an ongoing contract dispute that has been hanging over the Patriots.
That combination is enough to keep trade chatter alive, even if the Giants haven’t exactly been driving the speculation themselves. Still, New York makes a lot of sense if New England ever decides to move him. The idea of Gonzalez landing with the G-Men has gone from far-fetched to at least worth watching.
And from the Giants’ perspective, the fit is obvious. They need cornerback help badly.
Paulson Adebo didn’t inspire much confidence in Year 1 of his three-year, $54 million deal. Greg Newsome II is on his third team in six seasons, and the hype around him has always outpaced the production.
Deonte Banks had a strong summer, but that doesn’t erase three years of borderline unplayable football just because he played well against backups in the preseason. Colton Hood is only 21, so he still deserves time.
Gonzalez would walk in and immediately become the best cornerback on the roster. He’d also be in the conversation as the best New York has had since Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2016.
Of course, getting him would not be cheap. Any trade would cost a fortune in draft picks, and then there’s the extension, which is expected to top $33 million per year. But if Big Blue really believes Jaxson Dart is the guy, this is exactly the sort of aggressive swing that starts to make sense.
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