Christian Gonzalez wants a long-term contract extension from the New England Patriots before the start of next season.
In the meantime, he’s happy being back on the field alongside his teammates.
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New England Patriot's head coach Mike Vrabel talks with players during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriot's Kayshon Boutte (9) stands with teammate A.J Brown (1) during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriot's Christian Gonzalez stretches during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriot's Christian Gonzalez arrives for an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
After skipping the team's voluntary offseason workouts last month, Gonzalez was present Tuesday for the start of New England’s three-day mandatory minicamp. He didn't do much, going through some light skill work and mostly observing during 11-on-11 drills. But his presence spoke the loudest.
The Patriots picked up their star cornerback’s fifth-year option in April, meaning he’ll make just over $18 million in the final year of his rookie deal in 2027. But he wants security beyond that.
“I hope. That’s between my agents and the team,” Gonzalez said. “I hope we get something done.”
As to if he believes progress is being made on working out a deal before training camp opens on July 25, he said conversations were ongoing.
“Training camp I’m not worried about. We’re in mandatory minicamp right now, so that’s what we’re focused on,” Gonzalez said.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Gonzalez was limited in his on-field work Tuesday as the staff accessed the fitness of the players that didn’t participate in the voluntary portion of offseason workouts last month.
Gonzalez is easily the team’s most important player in the secondary, earning his first Pro Bowl selection last season after posting 69 tackles, 10 pass breakups and one tackle for a loss in 2025.
Another notable veteran presence on Tuesday was wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
He also missed the voluntary offseason program in the aftermath of his name arising in trade rumors this offseason. It also came after the team acquired receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.
Boutte said he is ready to compete for a spot on the roster when the time comes.
“We find ourselves in the same position every season and every offseason,” he said. “At the end of the day you still have to come to training camp and fight.”
Vrabel said that “everybody under contract” was present on Tuesday.
The “on contract” phrasing was intentional because that list didn’t include linebacker Gabe Jacas, the Patriots second-round selection in April’s draft.
Jacas’ status is in line with a recent trend of second-round selections sitting out spring workouts to haggle over finer points in their initial deals.
Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, a second-round pick in 2025, was the final member of New England’s draft class to sign his contract. Jacas will hold that distinction when he eventually signs.
Vrabel acknowledged that Jacas did undergo a recent surgical procedure, but said he’s not concerned with his health status interfering with him eventually joining the team.
“We are excited about Gabe, the person that he is, the play style, his production in college and all that,” Vrabel said. “So, when that gets resolved, we will have him in here and we will coach him, and I am sure we will find a way for him to help our football team.”
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New England Patriot's head coach Mike Vrabel talks with players during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriot's Kayshon Boutte (9) stands with teammate A.J Brown (1) during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriot's Christian Gonzalez stretches during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriot's Christian Gonzalez arrives for an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina voters on Tuesday aimed to winnow the field in high-profile races for governor and U.S. Senate, with Republicans seeking to maintain a statewide winning streak that stretches back decades.
Republican contenders have trumpeted their loyalty to President Donald Trump, who has remained popular in the state despite some nationwide wavering as the war with Iran continues. Sen. Lindsey Graham, among Trump's top allies on Capitol Hill, notched the president's endorsement before his campaign had even begun.
In the governor's race, Trump backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette over several opponents, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. The primary will determine whether the endorsement can help Evette win outright or if there will be a runoff on June 23.
Democrats are searching for their first victory in a statewide race here in 20 years, but their campaigns for governor and Senate were an uphill climb. Polls closed at 7 p.m. as candidates' supporters gathered at watch parties, awaiting the results.
Competition among Republicans for Trump’s support has seemed more intense than any other facet of the primary campaign.
Even before Evette received the president's endorsement, she frequently featured photos and videos of herself with Trump in campaign materials. She was backed by outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster, a longstanding ally of Trump whose support telegraphed the president's own.
Mace also wanted Trump's support, and he endorsed her congressional reelection in 2024 even though she criticized his actions of Jan. 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Rep. Ralph Norman, among the most conservative members of the House and a member of the Freedom Caucus, strongly supported Trump in the president’s first term. But in the 2024 campaign, Norman stumped for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley instead of Trump.
Rom Reddy, a coastal businessman who has eschewed campaign donations and self-funded his effort, has touted his lack of political experience as an asset, drawing comparisons between Trump and himself.
South Carolina’s other top contest Tuesday is its Senate race, where Graham is competing for the Republican nomination as he seeks a fifth term. A political confidant and regular golfing partner of the president, Graham has routinely batted back primary challengers over the years. Some of this year's contenders — including Project 2025 chief architect Paul Dans and former Lt. Gov. André Bauer — dropped out months ago.
Although their relationship has undulated through the years, Graham has remained close with Trump, who fulfilled the senator's longstanding wish for direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Graham cheered Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites last year and recently said he often speaks to the president about the ongoing conflict.
Among Graham's primary foes is Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who has said Graham isn't conservative enough to represent the state. Calling himself an “America First” candidate, Lynch has campaigned as a Trump supporter, but on social media the president has called him a “lunatic” and a “disaster for the Republican Party."
Democrats haven’t won the governor’s office or a Senate seat in South Carolina for decades.
McMaster defeated his opponent by nearly 18 percentage points in 2022. Graham won by 10 points in 2020, defeating Jaime Harrison after the most expensive race in state history.
Some Democrats hope to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Trump this year. In the governor's race, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, seen as a rising star in the party, is facing several opponents, including political newcomer Billy Webster, a payday loan company founder who lent his campaign $2 million. There's also attorney Mullins McLeod, who withstood calls from party leaders to shutter his campaign after dashcam video of his 2025 disorderly conduct arrest was released.
In the Senate race, Charleston physician Annie Andrews — who unsuccessfully challenged Mace in 2022 — is vying for the Democratic nomination against Brandon Brown, a funeral homeowner and former House candidate.
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette speaks during the final rally of her GOP primary campaign for governor on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Greer, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)
FILE - U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., takes questions from reporters following a South Carolina gubernatorial GOP candidate debate on April 1, in Newberry, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
FILE - Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C., takes questions from reporters after receiving the endorsement of Gov. Henry McMaster, R-S.C., in the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary, Feb. 12, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks with supporters after filing his reelection paperwork, March 16, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
