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Mike Vrabel Comments On Christian Gonzalez's Absence From Patriots OTAs Amid Extension Rumors originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Christian Gonzalez is eligible for an extension with the New England Patriots this offseason, but no deal has been reached yet.
The Patriots' voluntary OTA's are underway, but not every player is present. Among them is Gonzalez. He has earned a payday and could end up resetting the cornerback market when he does sign an extension. After the season ended, he noted that he wants to sign an extension with the Patriots, and the team has also expressed interest in keeping him around. However, neither party went into details about negotiations.
Now, the season is approaching, and the team is starting to get ready. Vrabel spoke on Gonzalez's decision not to participate in voluntary OTAs on Wednesday, and revealed whether he thought the contract situation had anything to do with it.
"Again, those are personal choices. I would say that I value the communication that I've had personally," Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday. "I know that our defensive coaches have had conversations with Christian. I wish they were all here, so that we could coach them. The ones that are here, that's where our focus will be. We will pour everything that we have into those players."
Vrabel noted that he understands that OTAs are voluntary and knows that having 100% attendance in the NFL is not a reality. However, he clarified that he has had communication with all of the absent players.
Gonzalez is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and wants to be a captain. However, the Patriots may need to pay him to get him back on the field. While Vrabel did not say the absence was related to the contract, it is not a wild assumption to make. There seems to be mutual interest in getting a deal done, and the Patriots could get a deal done before mandatory minicamp or training camp.
Right now, there seems to be nothing to worry about. However, if Gonzalez starts missing mandatory team activities, things could change.
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