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‘That’s the plan’: Mike Vrabel discussed Christian Gonzalez’s possible Patriots return in Week 4
"Hopefully he'll be ready to go."
The wait to see Christian Gonzalez make his 2025 Patriots season debut could be coming to an end against the Panthers on Sunday.
Head coach Mike Vrabel, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, provided the clearest sign yet that the talented New England defensive back could be reinserted into the starting lineup after missing the first three games due to lingering effects of a hamstring injury.
“I think that’s the plan,” Vrabel said when asked if it was intended to “ramp up” Gonzalez with the goal of having him play against Carolina. “Excited about his efforts and willingness to get back and work hard and practice last week. And again, I made a decision at the end of the week that [he] just needed a little bit more time.
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“That’s what happens when you start this return to play. You practice and work hard and see how you respond and then make a decision if that player’s ready for a football game,” Vrabel added. “We felt like he probably needed a little bit more time, and hopefully he’ll be ready to go. Excited to see him and everybody else practice today.”
Gonzalez, 23, is the team’s top cornerback, and a vital component of New England’s passing defense. Without him, the Patriots have yielded the fourth most passing yards in the NFL through three weeks.
Asked if he was frustrated at not being able to make his return in Week 3 after practicing prior to the game, Gonzalez disputed any notion that he has been content to remain on the sideline.
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“I never don’t want to play,” he told reporters. “That narrative that’s out there, I don’t know where people get it from. All I want to do is play football.”
Originally a first-round pick (the final one made by Bill Belichick as Patriots head coach), Gonzalez quickly established himself as an impressive cornerback. In 2024, he was named a second-team All-Pro despite New England’s wider struggles amid a 4-13 season.
“Hopefully he progresses throughout the week,” Vrabel concluded, “and he can help us.”
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