Christian Gonzalez Awaits Future Decision
Star cornerback Christian Gonzalez finds himself heading into the Patriots’ final preseason game without the long-term contract extension many have speculated about over the past few months.
This week marked Gonzalez’s return to practice, something coach Mike Vrabel described as a result of a minor injury that kept him off the field since August 10. Still, there have been whispers suggesting that his contract situation may have played a role in his absence.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Gonzalez, 24, stated when speaking to reporters. “I’m out here now. So it is what it is.”
Currently, Gonzalez is in the fourth year of a $15 million rookie contract, with New England opting for a fifth-year option.
As the Patriots prepare for their third preseason game against the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday, Gonzalez expressed some dissatisfaction regarding his current situation.
“It’s frustrating. But I’m focused on the season. I’m focused on here now and doing what I have to do,” he shared. “I’m out here to compete and get better.”
In July, Patriots owner Robert Kraft indicated that he had extended an offer to Gonzalez that would be the “highest contract in Patriots franchise history.” This was said to be a substantial increase from the four-year, $104 million deal given to defensive lineman Milton Williams, and considerably less than the four-year, $132 million extension recently signed by cornerback Devon Witherspoon in Seattle.
The Patriots recognize Gonzalez’s value, with statistics showing he allowed a league-low 43.4% completion rate when targeted last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
“We want him here,” said New England’s VP of player personnel, Eli Wolf, on Wednesday. “He’s an elite player. We’ve made that clear before, and we’re continuing to collaborate with his representation to find a mutually beneficial resolution. We’re just taking it day by day right now. We haven’t set any deadlines.”
As for whether he has a timeline of his own regarding the situation, Gonzalez remains quiet on that front, even hinting that missing the season opener—a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks—could be a consideration. “I’m focused on today, on this practice,” he noted. “And we’ll see where we go from here.”
