FOXBORO — Christian Gonzalez’s [absence from](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/06/02/mike-vrabel-provides-update-on-patriots-star-players-contract-situation/) the Patriots’ offseason workout program ended Tuesday when he ran onto the practice fields that abut the New Balance Athletics Center.
Gonzalez didn’t do much in Tuesday’s practice. He participated in stretching and individual drills, but skipped the team’s full-speed 11-on-11 sessions. The Pro Bowl cornerback did particpate in walk-through 11-on-11s before practice ended and he stepped to the podium to speak to reporters.
So, what kept Gonzalez [out of voluntary OTAs](https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/06/07/nfl-notes-patriots-betting-on-slight-bounce-back-from-a-j-brown/), in his own words?
“I felt like I could get my work in,” Gonzalez said. “I was able to talk to the coaches. We talked about it. I got some work in.”
What Gonzalez wasn’t saying is that he’s due a large contract extension for the first time in his career. Drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Gonzalez had his fifth-year option picked up this offseason, which keeps him under team control through the 2027 season. But three of his fellow 2023 first-round picks have already received contract extensions from their teams, and Gonzalez has earned it, as well.
Gonzalez reiterated Tuesday that he wants to remain a Patriot.
“I want to be rewarded as a Patriot,” Gonzalez said. “I love this town. I love this city. So, yeah, of course, I want to be here.”
Gonzalez was asked if he’s optimistic that he’ll reach a deal with the Patriots.
“I hope so,” Gonzalez said. “That’s between them two (his agent and the team). It takes both sides to get it done, and like I said, I want to be here. So, that’s what I’m going to say.”
The team breaks after this week’s three-day minicamp until training camp begins July 25.
It was too early for Gonzalez to be thinking about how his contract negotiations would affect training camp.
“I’m not worried about that,” Gonzalez said. “I mean, we in mandatory minicamp right now, so that’s what we’re focused on this weekend.”
The Patriots start their season Sept. 9 against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Gonzalez was asked if he would be willing to play this season without an extension.
“We got a long time to the season, so we’re still in, pretty early in the offseason, so I’m focused on being here, being here for the team, and doing my role and what I’m here for for this weekend, and focused on that,” Gonzalez said.
Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie signed a four-year, $124 million contract extension this offseason, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL at $31 million per year.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was selected 12 picks ahead of Gonzalez in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has not yet signed an extension. Whichever player signs first could dictate the market for the other player.
Witherspoon and Gonzalez share an agent, Reginald Johnson. Gonzalez said he and Witherspoon talk often but not about contracts.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that he’s not involved in contract negotiations with Gonzalez and that there was nothing to report on a new deal.
Patriots coaches have praised Gonzalez about his communication this offseason.
“Conversations have been great,” Vrabel said. “I talked to him about his (charity) event last week. I talked to him about normal things that we talk about. It is good to have everybody back in here that either was here last week or that was not. It is just good to have an almost complete football team here. I am excited to keep working.”
Defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr stifled a laugh when asked how Gonzalez’s ability to take away top receivers helps the greater goal of the defense.
“I mean, you got a guy can take away a guy, the numbers are in our advantage now,” Kuhr said. “So it’s absolutely helpful, but really, that whole room as a whole, how they play off each other back in the safety area, and to the nickel, Marcus (Jones), CD (Carlton Davis), Gonzo, KB (Kevin Byard), Craig (Woodson), all those guys, that’s as a whole unit, man, that’s big for us as a defense, for them to play to an elite level.”
Kuhr was not surprised that Gonzalez returned for minicamp. Cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton said Tuesday that Gonzalez’s practice participation is decided between Vrabel, Gonzalez’s side and the Patriots’ personnel department.
Gonzalez and defensive tackle Milton Williams are the Patriots’ top defenders, and they do have the future cap space to make a deal work with their Pro Bowl cornerback. Paying Gonzalez will take considerable cash, as well, though, since he’ll almost certainly earn a hefty signing bonus.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel restated last week, while speaking to Yahoo! Sports, that signing Gonzalez to a contract extension is a priority for the team.
Now it’s about both sides reaching an agreement.
As Gonzalez said, there’s still plenty of time before training camp and the regular season. The longer this drags out, however, the less time Gonzalez will be a full participant in practice before the 2026 season begins.