Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez heading into final preseason game without long-term contract extension

Foxborough, Mass. (AP) — Christian Gonzalez is back in the New England Patriots' lineup after recovering from a minor injury. The star cornerback has been practicing with the team since August 10, although he remains without a long-term contract extension that he has been pursuing throughout the offseason.

Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Gonzalez's return to practice, while team vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf emphasized the Patriots' desire to offer the player a deal that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Gonzalez is currently playing under the rookie deal he signed in 2023, earning a base salary of $2.25 million this season and $18.1 million in the final year of the contract in 2027.

New England's projected starters were absent during the first two preseason games, and it remains unclear how much playing time Gonzalez will receive during the upcoming final preseason game on Thursday night. The Patriots are set to host the Seattle Seahawks, the team Gonzalez played for during Super Bowl 60 in February. Despite the potential implications for the upcoming regular season, Wolf stated that the team is taking the negotiations with Gonzalez's representatives day by day without setting a specific deadline.