What happened: Rookie OLB Gabe Jacas returned to limited practice on Aug. 1. Gonzalez and A.J. Brown have since produced two heated training-camp matchups.
Why it matters: A captaincy would formalize Gonzalez's growing leadership role entering his fourth NFL season. The development comes as New England and Christian Gonzalez continue long-term contract talks.
By the numbers: Gonzalez allowed an NFL-low 43.4% completion rate in coverage last season.
What to watch: New England's captain selections and the new surface's preseason debut are the next markers.