The Patriots' 2025 season has a lot to look forward to, which is not something fans have felt for what seems like an eternity. But the addition of MIke Vrabel and an impressive coaching staff along with a greatly upgraded roster makes it easy to be optimistic and excited about what's to come, especially when projecting the seasons of certain players.
Near the top of that list is cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has arguably been the best player on the Patriots' defense since he was drafted in 2023. He immediately proved he was the real deal before going down with a season-ending injury as a rookie, and built upon that foundation last year despite the underperformance of the rest of the defense.
That's what makes it easy to believe he will have an even better Year 3 now that the group around him is much improved. It led us to experiment with ChatGPT to boldly predict what Gonzalez's season could look like by year's end, and if their projections are accurate, then New England has another Defensive Player of the Year in the making already.
Christian Gonzalez is well-equipped to prove the doubters wrong with another standout season
With a better coaching staff to learn from and an elite partner to work with in Carlton Davis, Gonzalez should have all that he needs to have the best season of his career this fall. He's already managed to catch the league by storm in just two years, although he missed most of his rookie year, but continues to be disregarded as one of the league's best cornerbacks.
That won't be the case if ChatGPT's bold predictions are correct, as they have him playing all 17 games and racking up some impressive stats.
- Combined tackles 66 (53 solo, 13 assisted)
- Passes defended: 20+
- Interceptions: 6
- Pick-sixes: 1
- Forced fumbles: 2
- Fumble recoveries: 1
- Sacks: 1 (on a corner blitz)
- QB rating allowed: < 65
- Completion % allowed: 52%
Because of that kind of production, he will also be an easy lock for the Pro Bowl, which would be his first, and strongly considered for All-Pro, rightfully so.
This is the kind of player that many have believed Gonzalez was capable of, and it is another example of just how absurd it is that he fell into the Patriots' lap at No. 17 in the first round of the 2023 Draft. He had been widely considered the best cornerback of the class, but the Patriots lucked out, even after trading down, and that will be proven true again if he manages to record this kind of stat line this year.
It will certainly put him in line to earn a massive contract extension after the team presumably picks up his fifth-year option. And based on that kind of production, he will have earned every penny.