Gonzalez focused on season, but irked by talks with Patriots - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and the New England Patriots continue to discuss a contract extension, and with the regular-season opener Sept. 9 closing in, Gonzalez expressed disappointment the sides have yet to reach an agreement.

«It's frustrating, but I'm focused on the season. I'm focused on here now,» he said after practice Tuesday.

That was a point Gonzalez repeated multiple times, as he highlighted the importance of preparing for a Super Bowl LX rematch against the Seattle Seahawks while referencing twice how the situation has lingered for months.

«I'm focused on Week 1 at this point. I mean, it's been all offseason, so I feel like the line of today is 'it is what it is,'» Gonzalez said, when asked if he's still optimistic a deal gets completed.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told reporters Tuesday that Gonzalez is a priority for the team.

«We want him here. He's an elite player,» Wolf said. «I've been on record saying that before, and we're continuing to work with his representation to find a resolution that works for everyone.»

Gonzalez is represented by agent Reggie Johnson, who negotiated the four-year, $132 million extension for Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon on Aug. 15.

Wolf described talks between the sides as having picked up «momentum,» adding the team hasn't set a deadline to consummate a deal. At the start of training camp in late July, owner Robert Kraft said the Patriots made an offer that would make Gonzalez the highest paid cornerback in the NFL, and Wolf said Tuesday that is still the case.

To that point, Gonzalez, who has said he prefers to avoid negotiating through the media, said: «There's certain things that go into a contract, but my