New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel reacted to CB Christian Gonzalez being frustrated about contract negotiations.
The New England Patriots and star CB Christian Gonzalez are not close to an extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, and Gonzalez is frustrated.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, a former player, understands what Gonzalez is going through.
"Well, I don't have a reaction," Vrabel said. "I have conversations with Christian, and I understand that this is probably something that's difficult. I've never been in that position to this extent. I try to treat it with class, but also, him and I communicate. He's always free – our players are always free to feel how they want to feel, and you just have to stay patient, and hope that we can continue to work to some sort of degree."
Gonzalez played one of the best games of his three-year NFL career in the Patriots' 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. He was credited with three passes defended while totaling four tackles.
Selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 draft, Gonzalez was named to the Associated Press All-Pro second team in 2024. Last season, Gonzalez was voted to the Pro Bowl after putting up 10 passes defended, 54 solo tackles and one tackle for loss.
According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Gonzalez didn't "love" owner Robert Kraft's public remark on contract talks between the organization and Gonzalez's reps.
On July 25, Kraft said the Patriots offered Gonzalez a contract that would have made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL and the highest-paid player in team history.
"With the Patriots and Gonzalez, not as much optimism, hasn't been as smooth as a negotiation," Fowler said, via Bleacher Report. "Robert Kraft, the owner, had said publicly, 'Hey, we offered him to make him the highest-paid corner in the league; he didn't take it.' I don't sense Gonzalez loved that all that much. So, there's been some back and forth. At least the Witherspoon deal creates some urgency where they can now get this done; they have a benchmark to top."
Gonzalez's contract situation with the Patriots is in the spotlight after the Seahawks made Devon Witherspoon the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history with a four-year, $132 million deal.
The Patriots face the Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos this season.
To make another Super Bowl run, the Patriots need a happy and focused Gonzalez and that can only happen if an extension is reached.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told reporters on Tuesday (8/25) that Gonzalez is a priority for the team.
However, we still don't have a deal.
"We want him here. He's an elite player," Wolf said. "I've been on record saying that before, and we're continuing to work with his representation to find a resolution that works for everyone."
The Patriots must be careful here. If they don't pay Gonzalez, we might see a trade request.
