Bill Belichick Instilled This Study Tactic In Star Patriots Cornerback

Bill Belichick’s last first-round draft choice for the Patriots provided New England with their next lockdown cornerback of the future in Christian Gonzalez.

He showed promise against talented receivers as a rookie before a torn labrum ended his debut year in Week 4 in 2023. The recovery time also gave the Oregon product a chance to understand opposing schemes on a deeper level than just film for the Patriots.

“One thing Belichick always talked about, he would always ask us, ‘Who’s the offensive coordinator?’ Gonzalez shared on the “Richard Sherman Podcast” that premiered Thursday. “My rookie year, I’m like, ‘OK, he’s the offensive coordinator. So what?’ Now, in the offseason I was able to learn that this offensive coordinator came from this tree. They did this. They like to attack a corner like me this way. That type of thing I was able to pick up on this offseason.”

Doing his homework appears to be paying off for the second-year Patriots defender. The team is struggling big time, but Gonzalez is locked in against elite talent. New England faced a gauntlet of top wideouts in the first four weeks from Ja’Marr Chase to DK Metcalf to Garrett Wilson along with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Gonzalez keeps making plays and holding explosive playmakers in check.

When the disastrous season ends for New England, Gonzalez shows why he’ll be the biggest bright spot for the Patriots.