Pats Pulpit
The winner will be announced during NFL Honors on Feb. 6.
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been named a finalist for AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the league announced Thursday.
The 2024 second-team All-Pro stands in contention alongside Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Gonzalez, 22, arrived in Foxborough in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft at No. 17 overall. The former transfer from Colorado to Oregon began his stay with NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors before a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum required surgery. He had played every defensive snap prior to staying down on the field following a tackle against the Dallas Cowboys.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound corner’s first career sack and first career interception were notched by then. He marked the lone rookie with a pass defensed in each of the first three weeks, yet saw his inaugural campaign end on injured reserve as the calendar turned October.
As an NFL sophomore, Gonzalez returned to rank atop New England’s defense with 978 downs played despite being ruled out for the season finale due to a concussion. Starting 16 games, he totaled 59 tackles, 11 passes defended as well as two interceptions. And from 63 yards away versus the Miami Dolphins in November, a fumble recovery was returned for his first NFL touchdown.
Quarterbacks testing the coverage of No. 0 in 2024 netted a completion rate of 54.8 percent, per Pro Football Focus, with 499 yards and two touchdowns allowed to receivers.
The winner will be revealed during NFL Honors on Feb. 6 leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
