Patriots, Christian Gonzalez reportedly haven’t ‘been close’ on contract extension

New England been adamant throughout the offseason that reaching an agreement with its star cornerback is part of the team's plans. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that the Patriots and Gonzalez haven't "been close" on a contract extension.

"So, [Devon] Witherspoon was going to get done first, and it got done at an average of $33 [million] a year," Schefter said. "The Patriots have not been in that category. But Witherspoon has established the benchmark, and the Patriots haven't gone there, and they weren't there before, and they don't appear to be going there right now, and they're off on the two sides of money.

"But the Patriots and Gonzalez haven't been close. Now, I kind of think like Mike Vrabel views defensive linemen and getting pressure as the most important thing on a defense. Like, he prioritizes that. Loves corners, of course, and he knows that Christian Gonzalez is a great player, but if we're going to pay players premiums up front, that's something I think that's been important to him in the past. I think they want to pay Christian Gonzalez, but they're obviously not in the same neighborhood right now and haven't been. Thus, his disappointment."