Christian Gonzalez ‘a little sensitive’ with Patriots contract talks stalling: insider

Patriots reporter Greg Bedard says star cornerback Christian Gonzalez is “a little sensitive” about his contract situation.

Gonzalez is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension, but the Patriots and the Oregon product have yet to agree on a deal.

“I don’t know how many questions the team has about him today, but he hasn’t gotten his contract,” Bedard said on NBCS Boston. “And that’s he’s a little sensitive about somebody being critical of him? A little bit. I would say maybe it’s not a great sign.”

Bedard said the sensitivity could be part of the questions the Patriots are having with the cornerback.

People questioned Gonzalez’s ability to take tough coaching during the draft process in 2023, he added, and the same concerns are rising three years later.

“Yes, I would say that there’s a little bit of sensitivity,” Bedard said. “This was a knock on him coming out, the mental toughness…I would say there’s still a ways to go with the contract.”

If no extension is signed, Gonzalez is set to make $2.259 million this season. Other top corners such as Trent McDuffie and Sauce Gardner will make over $30 million.

The Patriots start their training camp on July 25, but signs point to Gonzalez not participating if an extension is not agreed upon.

The corner didn’t attend the majority of the voluntary program and only participated in lower-speed parts of mandatory minicamp.

The question is whether Gonzalez will accept a temporary solution to his 2026 salary, pushing negotiations to next offseason when he is set to make $18.11 million, or does he need a contract extension now?

Corners have set the precedent both ways recently with Derek Stingley Jr. and Gardner signing lucrative deals heading into their fourth seasons, but McDuffie, Jaycee Horn and A.J. Terrell Jr. waited until Year 5.