Patriots must show more urgency with Christian Gonzalez as frustrations mount

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is tired of watching other top defensive backs sign exorbitant contracts. 

Earlier this offseason, CB Devon Witherspoon signed a four-year, $132M extension with the Seattle Seahawks, while Denzel Ward and the Cleveland Browns struck a two-year, $62.2M extension. Witherspoon's deal makes him the highest-paid player at his position. 

Gonzalez, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract, is trying to forget about that as New England prepares for its regular-season opener against Seattle on Sept. 9 (NBC, 8:20 p.m. ET). But it's clearly weighing on his mind.

Christian Gonzalez talks contract situation 

"I mean it's frustrating," Gonzalez said, via Michael Hurley of NBC Sports Boston. "But I mean it's — I'm focused on the season. I'm focused on here now and doing what I gotta do, and I'm out here to compete and get better." 

Gonzalez then sidestepped a question asking if his recent absences from practice are contract-related. He had missed seven consecutive practices before returning on Monday. 

"Yeah, you know, I'm not going to get into that," Gonzalez said. "I'm out here now, so it is what it is. ... Everything we do is speculating, at the end of the day. I could say something, and it's still gonna be speculated, so I mean, it is what it is." 

Gonzalez refused to elaborate on what he wants in his new contract. 

"There's certain things that go into a contract that my team knows what we want, so it kind of depends how you put it," the corner said.

The Patriots, meanwhile, seem poised to take their sweet time in preparing a deal for Gonzalez. 

"We're just taking it a day at a time right now," Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said Monday. "We [don't have] a deadline." 

Patriots should be motivated to sign Christian Gonzalez to a new deal

The Patriots should show more urgency. Since taking Gonzalez with pick No. 17 in the 2023 NFL Draft, the corner has established himself as one of the team's top players, making one Pro Bowl and earning a second-team All-Pro nod in 2024. He also finished fifth in 2024 Comeback Player of the Year voting after missing 13 games because of a torn labrum and dislocated right shoulder in 2023.

Gonzalez played a key role in the Patriots' run to Super Bowl LX, allowing just two touchdown catches on 61 targets (via Sports Info Solutions). He was one of the few bright spots in New England's 29-13 loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl, posting a stellar 86.8 Pro Football Focus coverage grade.