The New England Patriots are just four days away from their regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez remains without a contract extension.
So, will Gonzalez play Wednesday night?
“I’m focused on today, right now, this practice,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez, who has not committed to playing throughout the week, reiterated those comments during his Saturday media availability when he asked about his ongoing contract situation. Earlier this week, Mike Vrabel
noted the team will need to prepare for any players’ availability across the roster.
“We have to prepare for everything to potentially happen, whether that is players’ availability through multiple different reasons,” Vrabel said. “So, we will have to be ready for a lot of things, and as we work here into Week 1 and the craziness of the National Football League and the journey that we are about to go on.”
On Saturday, Gonzalez was again present for the start of practice, but said he did not know whether momentum was being made toward a deal.
The 24-year old has recently admitted his frustration that no deal has been reached. As for head coach Mike Vrabel, he wouldn’t describe it that way.
“I wouldn’t use the word frustrating,” Vrabel said. “I appreciate how our players feel and their emotions. I think that’s part of life. But, I can’t let that be frustrating. I want to be able to coach him, and help him improve as a player and a person, and help our football team and help our coaches.”
As a former player turned head coach, Vrabel finds himself in an interesting spot when it comes to these negotiations.
“I think it’s an interesting dynamic,” he said. “I’ve been on both sides. I think what’s important for me is to try to communicate, try to explain the players that we really want to build around and have. I’ve done that with Gonzo, and everybody knows that.
“I don’t get involved in the negotiations, per se. But I certainly want to be involved in trying to get the situation resolved. That’s really what I try to do throughout my job, my day here. What the issues are, or what’s in front of us, and what we have to do to help the team. But, it’s a delicate balance we have to wage.”
