The New England Patriots started their organized team activities last week, but one of their most important players was nowhere to be seen. Christian Gonzalez, a top three cornerback in the NFL, decided to skip the voluntary workouts after attending in each of his first three seasons in the league.
It appears his contract situation might have something to do with him staying away. The Patriots exercised the fifth-year option in his rookie deal earlier this offseason to keep him under control through
2027, but the 23-year-old, is looking for a multi-year extension now that he is eligible to sign one.
Despite not being with his teammates, the 23-year-old does enjoy their support.
“He means a lot,” team captain and fellow cornerback Marcus Jones told reporters at Drake Maye’s charity softball game in Worcester on Sunday. “When it comes down to it, we support him and also the organization. At the end of the day, that’s their thing. We’re ready when it comes down to it. I know he’s always one of those guys where, no matter where he’s at, he’s always working. It’s a day-by-day thing.”
Jones, who signed a three-year, $36 million extension last year, is sympathetic to both Gonzalez’s situation and the team’s stance.
“I’ve been in the situation of learning about how contract negotiations stuff goes about,” he explained. “They want what’s best for them, and he wants what’s best for him. We’re not rushing it when it comes down to it. At the end of the day, we all know the value that he [provides] when it comes down to our team.”
Gonzalez has been the Patriots’ top cornerback since arriving as the 17th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, and one of the best defenders in the NFL. As such, he is a realistic candidate to reset the market as soon as a new contract is finalized.
Whether that will indeed happen remains to be seen. Earlier this offseason, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said that the Patriots “want Christian here.”
On Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about the team’s positive conversations with Gonzalez.
“Those are personal choices for players,” Vrabel noted. ”I would say that I value the communication that I’ve had personally [with Gonzalez]. I know that our defensive coaches have had conversations with Christian.”
Like Marcus Jones, Gonzalez also participated in Maye’s charity softball contest. He was not made available to field any questions from reporters.
