The National Football League’s No. 1 secondary is now set for battle.
Coach Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots ownership group made Christian Gonzalez the highest paid cornerback in football, early Tuesday morning, less than 48 hours from opening night.
Gonzalez, who missed joint practices against the Eagles and Colts while the rest of the Patriots starters tested themselves, will now see real battle for the first time with his mates.
Nobody better in the game
The top secondary in football, as noted this summer by Pro Football Focus, is now intact.
One of the keys from the contract squabble that just ended, that shows you how much respect Gonzalez carries through that locker room, was the fact that to a man his teammates always had his back.
“He’s a guy that comes in the building, does the right things that he needs to do,” said slot corner and captain Marcus Jones. “When it comes down to being out there on the field, it’s 110 percent every time and you see him making plays.”
How much better is the defense when Gonzalez is playing? “I mean, we all know. We all know,” Jones said.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
‘Fab Five’ takes shape
Gonzalez, a Pro Bowler in 2025, joins Carlton Davis as a tandem that can match with any in football on the perimeter.
The safety spot received a major upgrade with 10-year vet and 2025 First-Team All-Pro Kevin Byard stepping in for Jaylinn Hawkins. Meanwhile, as a rookie, Craig Woodson led the team in defensive snaps played.
Add in the versatile Jones, whose speed and willingness to attack the football landed him a three-year, $36 million extension last year, and the secondary is as complete as any in football.
Coach has to be happy
Vrabel just has to be relieved about the Gonzalez signing, staring straight at Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Co. And the coach, at least a week ago, did not seem concerned about what the cornerback has missed.
“He has put a lot of great work in – and the competitiveness and practices. He is never really stressed. He is a very comfortable, and I do not mean that by lazy, it is just not, he is not stressed,” said Vrabel. “And then when he bursts, he bursts, and when he has a chance to go for an interception, he does.
“This is a player that every chance that he has looked to improve, challenge two-minute situations, normal down and distances, third down. I have seen a very competitive player.”
