Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Eliot Wolf reiterated that the New England Patriots want to keep Christian Gonzalez long-term. He also confirmed Robert Kraft’s previous claim that the team is willing to sign the Pro Bowl cornerback to a record-breaking contract.
Despite the stars therefore seemingly aligned for an agreement to be reached, the two parties remain apart with the regular season opener in Seattle only two weeks away. For Gonzalez, that lack of progress has been the source of some frustration.
And yet, the 24-year-old is not willing to let his feelings on the matter negatively impact his preparation for the upcoming season.
“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.”
For Wolf, that commitment was never a question.
“He’s a tremendous competitor. He wants to be the best at his position, so there’s no concerns like that,” he said.
Even though he did miss some time during New England’s voluntary offseason workout program for unspecified reasons, Gonzalez reported to both minicamp and training camp on time. He went on to practice without any reservations or limitations before suffering an injury on the eve of the first joint practice of the summer.
The ailment eventually forced him to sit out seven practices and two preseason contests before a return to action on Monday. It was like Gonzalez had never left.
“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 draft pick in 2023 and one of the best cornerbacks in the game today, saw his fifth-year contract option exercised by the team earlier this offseason. While the move keeps him under team control for two more seasons in a relative cost-effective fashion, he would prefer some long-term stability and the organization committing to him beyond the 2028 season.
If Wolf and company are to be believed, they do want the same thing. Outcome to be determined. Wolf, however, is sensing the talks moving in the right direction.
“I’m confident we’re continuing to work on it,” he said. “We’re positive that we’re making momentum.”
