Overview
- Gonzalez reported to the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp at Gillette Stadium on Tuesday as a limited participant after skipping voluntary OTAs earlier in the spring.
- He has skipped voluntary work as a signaling tactic while seeking a market-level long-term extension but remains under New England control through 2027 because the team exercised his fifth-year option.
- Gonzalez told reporters he wants to remain a Patriot and head coach Mike Vrabel said conversations with him have been positive and that all under-contract players were present.
- Broad-market moves for top corners and negotiations for peers such as Devon Witherspoon have reset expectations for Gonzalez’s price and have insiders saying a deal before the regular season is reasonably possible.
- Resolving the talks quickly would give the Patriots salary certainty before training camp and shape the timing and resources available for other big decisions on the roster next year.