Patriots CB Says Pressure is a Privilege

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is a firm believer in “iron sharpening iron.”

Already considered among the NFL’s best players at his position, the third-year defensive back is eager to put this famous proverb to the test during training camp. To do so, he must test himself against his most competitive teammates — receivers such as former All-Pro Stefon Diggs. Though it may be a daunting task, he remains cognizant of the responsibility which comes with such an esteemed reputation.

“I feel like pressure is a privilege,” Gonzalez told reporters on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium. “If you have that pressure on you, it’s a good thing. So I enjoy it. Kinda have to enjoy it playing corner”

Gonzalez was recently revealed at number 84 in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025. Thanks to his being placed among the league’s elite players, few (if any) would be wise to take the chance of misjudging his prowess in 2025 and beyond.

Still, Gonzalez’s previous comments appear to indicate that he is taking nothing for granted.

After being selected No. 17 overall by New England in 2023, the 6’1” 205-pound cornerback was off to a stellar start to his pro career — earning defensive rookie of the month honors for September. Unfortunately, his rookie campaign was cut short after jamming his shoulder in a tackle attempt. He ultimately suffered a torn shoulder labrum, for which he underwent offseason surgery to repair.  Gonzalez’s injury history likely played a role in his choosing to incorporate Pilates into his conditioning program this season. 

“It’s very hard, for those that haven’t done it,” Gonzalez said of Pilates. “It looks easy, but it’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve done. So it’s fun, but that’s something I challenged myself with in the offseason.”

Despite his injury, Gonzalez returned to the field in 2024 determined to emerge as one of the league’s top defensive backs. He finished the season with 59 combined tackles (50 solo), 11 pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts. He received an overall grade of 76.0 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked at number 21 of 222 qualifying cornerbacks. For his efforts, Gonzalez earned second-team All-Pro honors in essentially his first full season on the NFL.

Heading into 2025, Gonzalez will be surrounded by a new supporting cast in the secondary — including free agent additions Carlton Davis III and Marcus Epps. He will also be playing for his third coach in as many seasons. Despite having praised both Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo for their respective contributions to his development, the Carrollton, Texas native is already noticing a bit of a “difference” in new coach  Mike Vrabel's coaching style while incorporating a great deal of himself into his new coach’s philosophy.

“Each coach is different but at the same time it’s football,” Gonzalez said. “But, it’s about coming in and being the best version of myself and helping the team.”

Once again expected to be New England’s top cornerback, Gonzalez’s value is as much about adaptability and athleticism as it is statistical competence. He is well-sized, with the height and length to match up against opposing teams’ top receivers on the outside. In a game setting, Gonzalez is arguably at his best in man coverage. However, his ability to maintain eye contact with the quarterback makes him a potential asset in zone. As such, he appears poised to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks — especially those who underestimate his abilities. 

As for working with Diggs throughout the next few weeks, Gonzalez is counting on the prolific veteran to elevate his competitive nature to new heights this season.

“I’m excited for that. It’ll be fun,” Gonzalez said of competing against Diggs in practice. “He’s also done it for a long time at a very high level. I kind of picked his brain a little bit during the spring already. So excited for those competitions. Even what he brings to that room and the team, he brings a veteran role, a veteran leadership role. He’s just going to crank up the competition, and it’ll be a lot of fun.”