FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Christian Gonzalez had a decision to make before training camp began.

The star cornerback is in the middle of negotiations with the New England Patriots for a contract extension, but a deal has yet to be completed. And with that, it brought into question if he would attend training camp and take part in practice.

Many players who have been in his position in the past have held out or held in, putting pressure on the organization. But instead, Gonzalez took a different approach, attending camp and being a full participant. That dedication to the team did not go unnoticed by his teammates.

“I think that shows his main focus, and that's football. He's the best corner in the league in my opinion," Drake Maye said. "He's, not the big rah-rah guy. He does it his own way, but he does it at the highest level. So I'm glad to be his teammate.

"Gonzo's someone I look up to, even at the same age. I look up to how he does things, how he handles himself and his swagger he has in his own way," the quarterback added. "I think it's great to see him out here playing around. And I think you saw it in the locker room before. Everybody was wondering, 'What's Gonzo going to do?' And he's coming out here, and first play, he's guarding A.J. in man coverage. So, that's the Patriots."

Carlton Davis had similar sentiments.

“He’s a team guy, and he’s not gonna let whatever’s going on, you know, he’s out here with us,” cornerback Carlton Davis expressed. “That’s all I can say about that: he’s out here with us, and he’s always been a good guy. He’s always been a team player.”

“He’s definitely one of the best corners in the league and definitely deserves to be paid as such,” he added “So, yeah, he’s deserving of all of it.”

"That's just who he is. He wants to be here," the defensive lineman explained. "He's showing up for us even though he's got a situation going on. He let everybody know that he wants to be here, and I feel like the contract will handle itself."

However, Robert Kraft made it clear that the Patriots know Gonzalez's worth, telling reporters that the team has offered Gonzalez a deal that will make him both the highest-paid cornerback in the league and the highest-paid player in team history. So at this point, it certainly seems like it's a matter of when and not if.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Christian Gonzalez earns respect with attendance amid contract talks

As did Milton Williams