Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots are running out of time to solve their contract standoff ahead of Week 1

Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots are running out of time to solve their contract standoff ahead of Week 1. New England opens the season in less than a week, and its star cornerback still hasn't signed an extension. Gonzalez plans to pause all contract negotiations once the regular season kicks off, creating a hard deadline for a long-term deal. The Patriots exercised his fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through 2027, meaning he's tied to the team for two more years regardless. With Devon Witherspoon recently landing a record-setting $33 million-per-year extension, the price tag for elite cornerbacks has officially skyrocketed. While Mike Vrabel expects every healthy player under contract to suit up, Gonzalez's long-term future remains the biggest storyline in Foxborough.