Aaron Rodgers Praises Patriots Cornerback Christian Gonzalez

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a guest on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. He touched on several topics, including his Week 3 opponent, the New England Patriots. One player Rodgers was asked about was New England’s second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez. The two have not faced off in the NFL yet, but the QB was extremely complimentary of his upcoming opponent.

“I think he’s a great player,” Rodgers said of Gonzalez, who he said he got to know a bit during the offseason as they rehabbed injuries. “I think he’s a great kid. He’s super, super talented. He’s an elite player.”

Also Read – Patriots Roster Breakdown: Christian Gonzalez, Future Star

Both players saw their 2023 seasons end prematurely. The Green Bay Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets on Apr. 24, 2023. He had played only four offensive snaps in New York’s Week 1 game when Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Gonzalez lasted until Week 4. A torn labrum ended Gonzelez’s rookie campaign.

Covering the NFL’s Best

Gonzalez appeared in four games as a rookie and two in 2024. He’s matched up with receivers like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, and DK Metcalf. New England paired Gonzalez against Garrett Wilson when they played the New York Jets last season. In the Patriots 15-10 win, Wilson finished with five receptions for 54 yards.

It will be interesting to see which defensive scheme Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington come up with to best utilize Christian Gonzelez on Thursday. In Week 2, Metcalf was covered on 36 routes by Gonzalez. The Seahawks receiver had three receptions on seven targets for 24 yards on those plays. On the eight routes Metcalf was not covered by Gonzelez, he caught all seven targets for 105 yards and a touchdown.

“I give those guys who do star coverage (following the other team’s top receiver) a lot of credit, a lot of respect,” said Rodgers. “Christian’s one of those guys who enjoys the challenge, enjoys the competition.”

"Christian Gonzalez is a great player and I got to know him a little bit this offseason..

He's a great kid and he's super talented"@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Nz8v90B3aN

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 17, 2024

Aaron Rodgers is now the oldest active player in the NFL. He was playing at Butte Junior College when Christian Gonzalez was born. When the Green Bay Packers selected Rodgers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Gonzalez was still two months shy of his third birthday. On Thursday night, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer faces the rising star corner for the first time. It should be fun.