Christian Gonzalez finds himself in a holding pattern regarding his professional future.

The Patriots’ star cornerback enters the team’s final preseason game without the long-term contract extension that has been a topic of speculation over recent months.

Gonzalez returned to practice on Wednesday after being sidelined since August 10 due to what coach Mike Vrabel described as a minor injury. However, rumors persist that his absence had more to do with ongoing contract negotiations.

“I’m not going to get into that,” Gonzalez, 24, told reporters. “I’m back on the field now. So it is what it is.”

Set to begin the fourth year of his $15 million rookie contract, Gonzalez has seen New England exercise the option for a fifth year, intensifying talks about his long-term future with the team.

Heading into the Patriots’ third preseason game — a tilt with the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday — Gonzalez did make it clear that he wasn’t entirely happy with the situation.

RELATED: Upcoming Atlantic Storm Named Dolly Sparks Interest Despite No Link to Parton

“It’s frustrating. But I’m focused on the season. I’m focused on here now and doing what I have to do,” he said. “I’m out here to compete and get better.”

In July, Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he had offered the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 draft the “highest contract in Patriots franchise history,” which would seemingly eclipse defensive lineman Milton Williams’ four-year, $104 million pact. Among cornerbacks, Devon Witherspoon’s four-year, $132 million extension with Seattle is the landmark deal.

The Patriots are well aware of the what Gonzalez brings to the table — he allowed league-low 43.4% completion rate when targeted last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

“We want him here,” New England VP of player personnel Elit Wolf told reporters Wednesday. “He’s an elite player. Been on record saying that before and we continue to work with his representation to find a resolution that works for everyone. We’re just taking it a day at a time right now. We haven’t [set] a deadline.”

If Gonzalez has one, he isn’t saying either, though he didn’t exactly rule out missing the season opener — a Super Bowl rematch against the Seahawks — as an option.

“I’m focused on today, on this practice,” he said. “And we’ll see where we go from here.”

In a heartfelt move, Taylor Swift has joined a host of celebrities to pay tribute to the iconic Dolly Parton, following news of the legendary artist’s passing. On Tuesday night, Swift shared her sentiments in a statement, offering a personal salute to Parton’s monumental legacy.

At just 36, the global pop sensation took a moment to honor Parton, who sadly passed away earlier that same day at a Nashville medical center at the age of 80. Swift communicated her thoughts through a statement presented to the Daily Mail.

“Imagining a world without Dolly seems unfathomable, not real, and fundamentally wrong,” Swift expressed. Reflecting on her own beginnings in the country genre before taking over the pop scene, she remarked, “Dolly’s incredible generosity throughout her life and her positive impact on countless lives will ensure her legacy never fades.”

Swift elaborated further, acknowledging Parton as an ever-giving gift. “Dolly was not only someone to admire, but also an inspiration advocating for individual self-expression. Her lessons seamlessly blended honesty, gentleness, humor, and wisdom,” she added.

In her closing remarks, Swift noted, “Dolly exhibited a beautiful duality in her life’s journey—mastering mystery and fantasy while embracing transparency where it mattered most. She embodied true grace, matched with unwavering grit. Her compassion for others’ struggles was deep, yet her resolve to defend her artistic integrity was unshakeable.”

Swift concluded her statement with an expression of gratitude for the late country music icon. 

‘Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it. For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts. For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did,’ she wrote. ‘For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too. Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way.’

The legendary country singer’s passing was confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver.

Later on Tuesday, Parton’s representatives revealed that the singer had died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’ in a statement to People, though it did not specify which type of cancer she had been dealing with.

‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,’ the statement read.

‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.’

The news of Parton’s death prompted an outpouring of love from America’s A-list. 

Beyonce, Sabrina Carpenter and Parton’s former costar, Jane Fonda, were among the numerous A-listers who joined Swift in honoring Parton.

Paul McCartney, Shania Twain, Jamie Lee Curtis, Oprah, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pedro Pascal, Khloe Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Reba McEntire, Zoe Saldana and Hugh Jackman also took to social media to express their shock and sadness over Parton’s death.

The music icon also counted admirers outside of Hollywood, with politicians and media heavyweights also sharing their condolences. 

Beyonce paid tribute to Parton with a message shared on her website. 

‘Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious,’ Beyonce wrote in an outpouring of compliments. ‘You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself. 

‘I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship,’ the hitmaker continued, before referencing her collaboration with Parton on Cowboy Carter. ‘I’m honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. 

‘Thank you for your profound impact on the world,’ Beyonce wrote as she concluded her tribute. ‘You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully.’

Carpenter remembered Parton by sharing photos from their collaboration on the video to a remix of her song Please Please Please, which featured the country music icon. 

‘oh dolly [broken-heart emoji] the only thing i could say after we first met was “she really is an angel walking the earth” and “we look like we could be sisters!”’ Carpenter – who bonded with Parton over their mutual height of just five feet – gushed in her caption.

‘i will cherish our laughter and conversations and i will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days,’ she continued. ‘there will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart.

‘your light will be something the world will search forever to find again,’ Carpenter added, before a final message that quoted the refrain of one of Parton’s most famous songs: ‘i will always love you.’

Fonda shared a black-and-white still of herself and Parton laughing on the set of their 1980 workplace comedy 9 To 5 in her Instagram tribute. 

‘I am devastated. I just learned that Dolly has moved on. I know that millions are mourning and I want to say this – more than anyone I have ever known, Dolly will always be with us because she was so present, so powerful, so generous and playful that she is woven into all our lives and hearts forever,’ Fonda began her loving post. ‘We have our memories of her, her songs, Dollywood, “9to5,” the millions of books she got into the hands of children, all the iconic images that bring her to us. And they are all blessings. Let’s be grateful for all that she has left us to ease our sadness now. 

‘I never knew anyone like her,’ Fonda admitted. ‘She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. She was many things…lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.’

Fonda also remembered Parton at her most playful and over-the-top. 

‘She had a survivor’s instinct and seemed to always know just what to do, just what to say, to make things right…and then she’d stick her butt out the car window and moon Kenny Rogers’s home,’ the actress recalled. ‘She was the voluptuous embodiment of empathy. That’s something of hers she’d want us all to take with us.’

The Oscar winner also included a message to Parton’s numerous LGBTQ fans, who took solace in her inclusive messages and were sometimes inspired by her campy fashion choices. 

‘To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you. You know that without me telling you,’ Fonda added. ‘She loved all her fans and they are legion. And you know she doesn’t want y’all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit. But first, watch the final episode of Grace and Frankie where she’s an Angel, the head honcho working class angel in Heaven.’

Fonda signed off with a final message to her late friend: ‘RIP, beautiful woman. We love you ❤️.’

Lily Tomlin, who costarred with Parton and Fonda in 9 To 5, shared a still from the film on Instagram after learning of Parton’s death. 

‘No words… [broken-heart emoji],’ she wrote in a post that was ‘liked’ by Fonda. 

Curtis shared a photo to Instagram that showed herself cuddled up with Parton. She captioned: ‘They say don’t meet your heroes. Her bravery to know that she was more than they thought she was and that she needed to break away and move on into new work and new possibilities led her to write I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, as her way of thanking and loving, but moving on. She is a great example for us all.’ 

Oprah shared a snap of herself and Parton together on set of the country legend’s variety show Dolly, which aired in 1987.

The media mogul posted a sweet caption which read: ‘One of my fondest memories with @dollyparton: Having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly.

‘This girl from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee dreamed a life and then lived a life bigger than she could have ever imagined, giving so generously to others in ways we saw and ways we didn’t.

‘No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.

‘God bless you, Dolly—you earned your wings [wings emoji].’

Paul McCartney recalled the first time he and his late wife Linda met Parton in 1974 at the Grand Ole Opry. He wrote about how honored he was that the country star later covered one of his songs.

‘The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad,’ McCartney began. ‘She was such a wonderful woman. I first met her in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry where she had been playing with the country star Porter Wagoner and was about to start her solo career. She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed. 

‘Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly,’ he continued. ‘She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world.

‘There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song Let It Be and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it,’ McCartney recalled. ‘I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents.

‘Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world. We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best,’ he concluded.

Shania Twain honored Parton on Instagram with a clip taken from her performance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2003, when the country music icon joined her for a duet version of Parton’s 1971 song Coat Of Many Colors.

‘Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone,’ Twain wrote. ‘My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility. 

‘There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live,’ she continued. ‘I will cherish this moment performing Coat Of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.’

Hilton also shared a snap of herself alongside Parton with a sweet caption which read: ‘Heartbroken to hear about Queen @dollyparton’s passing [crying and heartbroken emojis] She was a true icon and such an inspiration to me.

‘Her talent, heart and kindness touched so many lives, and she truly felt left this world better than she found it [tears welling up in eyes while smiling and sparkle emojis] Sending all my love to her family, friends, and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace, Dolly [white heart and dove emojis].’

ALSO READ: Beloved Outreach Worker Honored by Community After Tragic Riverside Crash

Nicole Kidman honored Parton with a photo of herself, her ex-husband Keith Urban and their daughters posing on a red carpet with the late songstress. 

‘We will always love you, Dolly [white heart emoji],’ she wrote.

Josh Brolin honored Parton with a string of broken-heart emojis, while Michelle Pfeiffer reposted a photo of the late singer with a broken heart and a blue butterfly emoji.

Lauren Sanchez, who is the wife of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, also took to Instagram to share a snap of herself posing up with the music legend.

She captioned the image on Instagram: ‘Dolly is gone and my heart is so broken. I grew up on her music. I knew every song by heart. I still do. She was there for the best days of my life and the worst ones, and she never even knew it. That’s what she did for millions of us.

Then I got to know her, and somehow she was more than the legend. She gave our Courage and Civility award its meaning, not the other way around. She said she’d always tried to put her money where her heart is.

The Fight Club actress continued: ‘Her heart was with kids. It always was. Free books in the mail to children who had none, month after month, for thirty years, because her dad never learned to read. The songs will keep playing. We all know the words. Thank you, Dolly. I will always love you.’

Parker, meanwhile, revealed she had never met Parton but had always admired her from afar.

The Sex and the City actress took to social media writing: ‘I never met @dollyparton but my gosh, did I love her. I don’t think any of us had to know her to love her. One of the greatest this country ever produced. Legend. For real. Forever.’

Pascal similarly took to Instagram sharing an old black and white photo of the Jolene singer, writing: ‘One of one. We must make more.’

Elsewhere, an emotional Kardashian posted a tribute to her Instagram Stories, writing: ‘My sweet Dolly. You are with your hubby who I know you missed immensely. ‘

The reality star was referring to Parton’s longtime husband Carl Thomas Dean, to whom she was married for almost 59 years. Dean died in March 2025. 

Kardashian added: ‘I know that you are with your creator. God has you wrapped in His Arms. God bless you forever and always. Thank you for everything’. 

Hilton also weighed in on Instagram Stories, saying she was heartbroken by the death of her ‘idol’ and ‘inspiration’.  

Meanwhile, Maren Morris, who has been inspired by Parton’s long career in country music, also took to social media, sharing a video of her with the star. 

‘There will never be another. @dollyparton was who we could all agree on and she was such a light,’ the My Church singer stated.

Country singer Kacey Musgraves remembered Parton by sharing a photo shot from behind of the two women embracing. 

Blake Shelton remembered Parton with a photo of the late singer making a guest appearance with him on The Voice.

‘I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today,’ he wrote. ‘I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice. 

‘I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is,’ Shelton emphasized. ‘It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.’

Celine Dion reposted a phot of Parton while honoring her. 

‘Dolly…you were pure light, with a kind heart and a generous spirit,’ she wrote. ‘We will now be missing one of the most joyful voices this world has ever known. Thank you for the music, the laughter, and the love you gave us all. We will always love you.’ 

Linda Ronstadt, who recorded two acclaimed albums as a trio with Parton and Emmylou Harris, shared a rare statement about Parton’s death on her Facebook page on Tuesday.

‘I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Dolly Parton. One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her,’ Ronstadt wrote, while sharing a photo of herself and Harris with Parton. ‘The world is a poorer place without her.’

Comic star Carol Burnett shared a photo of herself performing on stage with Parton years earlier for their Carol And Dolly special in Nashville.

‘I’m so sad right now. One of my favorite memories was taping the special “Carol and Dolly” in Nashville,’ she wrote.

‘We shot the week of Thanksgiving and Dolly made individual turkey dinners for every one of us, that she cooked herself,’ Burnett revealed. ‘We were a family. That’s who she was.’

The legendary country singer’s death was confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.

She died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.

Parton’s loved ones began racing to Nashville upon hearing news of her hospitalization, but not all were able to reach her while she was alive.

‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ Seaver said.

He hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.’ 

Parton, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5. 

Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing. 

Seaver fondly recalled joining Parton on tour when he was a child in the 1980s, sharing that she ‘opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.’ 

He characterized her as ‘a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.’

Family insiders indicated that a private service for close friends and relations will be held in Nashville within the next few days.