Mike Vrabel said Christian González’s absence from the Patriots’ preseason opener was not related to his contract, clearing up the biggest immediate question around the All-Pro cornerback.
Vrabel made the point Friday morning after previously grouping González with other injured players and saying the Patriots were simply working through something. The update matters because González is newly eligible for a contract extension this offseason, and he has remained one of the team’s most important young players entering Year 4.
Patriots keep the focus on health
González participated fully throughout the first two weeks of training camp even while his contract situation remained unresolved. That is part of why his absence drew attention, especially after he appeared to get banged up Monday while covering Romeo Doubs in practice. He then did not attend the joint practice with the Colts on Tuesday.
Vrabel’s explanation suggests the Patriots are treating the situation as a short-term health issue rather than a contract standoff. That is also consistent with what he said Thursday night after the Patriots’ 13-13 preseason tie with the Colts, when he put González in the same category as other unavailable players.
“No. Literally just working through something,” Vrabel said when asked if the absence was contract-related.
He also said, “My expectation is that everybody that’s healthy and ready to play for us is going to play.”
What it means going forward
For now, the key question is whether González is healthy enough to return when the Patriots get back on the practice field Saturday. The team still has two more joint practices ahead, including Wednesday and Thursday work leading into the next Saturday schedule, so there is still time for him to get back on track before Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The Patriots have not said González’s status is tied to anything beyond the injury issue Vrabel described. That should calm the immediate speculation, but it also keeps attention on how the team manages one of its top defensive players over the rest of camp.
There is already a reason for optimism. In a separate camp development, González won most reps against A.J. Brown in Thursday Patriots camp practice, a reminder of why he remains such a central piece of the defense when he is on the field.
