Add The New York Post on Google Things are getting interesting at Patriots training camp as the contract battle with star Christian Gonzalez drags on.
First, the Pro Bowl cornerback missed practice Tuesday for the first time this summer. Then, he took to Instagram with lyrics from rapper Gunna’s song “Time Reveals, Be Careful What You Wish For.” The lyrics, taken from the first verse, read, “Should have been done by now, but you didn’t know how to handle the feeling.”
Were the two related? We may never know, but the timing is suspicious. Gonzalez’s contract discussions has loomed over New England all summer and have yet to be resolved with Week 1 right around the corner.
Last month, Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he’d offered the 24-year-old Gonzalez “the highest contract in Patriots franchise history” that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
Right now, those distinctions belong to Pats DT Milton Williams ($24 million annually) and Rams CB Trent McDuffie ($31 million annually), respectively.
Gonzalez declined to respond to questions in July about whether Kraft’s comments bothered him.
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez runs across a practice field during the team’s NFL football training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks to cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) at training camp at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect “Yeah, I mean, everyone knows what Mr. Kraft has done. A ton of respect for Mr. Kraft and what he’s done for this franchise,” Gonzalez said. “It’s just something we don’t want to handle in the media. I keep that with the team and my team, and go about that.”
Gonzalez, who was drafted No, 17 overall in 2023, is entering his fourth season in the NFL. Earning a base salary of $2.259 million this year, he has two years left on his rookie contract.
With or without a new deal for Gonzalez, the Patriots open their season Sept. 9 at Seattle.
