Christian Gonzalez’s contract situation is still unresolved, but the Patriots cornerback isn’t letting that seep into his day-to-day work.
Speaking after Tuesday’s training camp practice, Gonzalez said the lack of movement has been irritating, even as he keeps his attention locked on the season ahead.
“It’s frustrating,” Gonzalez told reporters after the Patriots’ training camp practice on Tuesday. “But I’m focused on the season.
I’m focused on here now, and doing what I have to do. I’m out here to compete and to get better.”
That approach lines up with how the Patriots are viewing him internally. Eliot Wolf said Tuesday that New England still wants to keep Gonzalez long-term, and he backed up Robert Kraft’s earlier statement that the team is prepared to give the Pro Bowl cornerback a record-breaking deal.
For now, though, the sides remain apart with the regular season opener in Seattle only two weeks away.
Wolf said he never had doubts about Gonzalez’s mindset, even with the contract talks hanging over the situation.
“He’s a tremendous competitor. He wants to be the best at his position, so there’s no concerns like that,” he said.
Gonzalez did miss time during New England’s voluntary offseason workout program for unspecified reasons, but he was present for minicamp and training camp on time. He practiced without restrictions until an injury on the eve of the first joint practice of the summer sidelined him.
That injury cost him seven practices and two preseason games before he returned on Monday. According to Wolf, there was no sign of rust.
“He’s been great,” said Wolf. “He came back yesterday and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat.
He had some productive 1-on-1 reps, and then he was making plays in the red zone. He’s a competitor, he’s talented, he’s elite.
And, hopefully, we can get something done there.”
Gonzalez, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2023, has already had his fifth-year option picked up this offseason. That keeps him under team control for two more seasons, but he’d clearly prefer something more secure and a commitment that extends beyond the 2028 season.
The Patriots say they want that, too. And while nothing is done yet, Wolf sounded encouraged that the conversation is trending the right way.
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