Christian Gonzalez doesn't commit to playing season opener

Published September 5, 2026 04:03 PM Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez still doesn’t have a contract extension, and with the season opener only four days away, he isn’t not committing to playing without one.Gonzalez continues to take a day-to-day approach.“I’m focused on today,” Gonzalez said, via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. “Right now, it is practice in what, a couple, 30 minutes, 40 minutes. Worried on that right now, so we’ll focus on that.”Gonzalez answered “I don’t know” when asked if contract talks were progressing.The Seahawks recently signed cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a four-year, $132 million deal, which should provide a template for the Patriots. Gonzalez and Witherspoon have the same agent, Reggie Johnson. Gonzalez is under contract for the next two seasons and is scheduled to make a base salary of $2.259 million this season.The 17th overall pick in 2023, he made second-team All-Pro in 2024 and the Pro Bowl in 2025. He has totaled 145 tackles, two interceptions, 24 pass breakups and a sack in three seasons.He said Thursday he is “still frustrated” a deal isn’t done.