Vrabel praises Gonzalez talks as contract stalemate looms

The New England Patriots began their only mandatory offseason work on Tuesday, with cornerback Christian Gonzalez back on the field despite skipping voluntary workouts while seeking a contract extension ahead of his fourth season. Mike Vrabel said conversation

The Patriots started their only mandatory stretch of offseason work on Tuesday, and cornerback Christian Gonzalez was there when the team went out for practice.

Gonzalez had missed the voluntary portions of the offseason program as he pushed for a contract extension ahead of his fourth season in New England. Head coach Mike Vrabel said last week that he expected Gonzalez to be at minicamp. and the coach got his wish—Gonzalez was on the field with the team on Tuesday.

Vrabel wouldn’t dress up the contract situation. “I don’t have anything to report on the contract front,” he said, via a transcript from the team. What he did offer was a window into how their conversations have gone so far.

“Good. Conversations have been great,” Vrabel said. He described speaking with Gonzalez about “his event last week” and also said he covered “normal things that we talk about.” For Vrabel. the immediate focus was getting a large group assembled. “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.”.

Gonzalez, though, isn’t expected to do much actual work during minicamp. The bigger test comes next month, when the next step in the offseason arrives: how much he participates at training camp if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal before training camp starts.

MISRYOUM Sports News New England Patriots Mike Vrabel Christian Gonzalez minicamp contract extension training camp NFL cornerback