Tag: Gonzalez

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Pats to exercise CB Christian Gonzalez’s 5th-year option

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots plan to exercise the fifth-year option for Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez, head coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday.

“Yes. If we haven’t picked it up, we should pick it up,” Vrabel told reporters at the league meetings in Phoenix.

“We want to make sure that we draft extremely well and then we identify the guys we want to keep. … Gonzo’s certainly one of those players.”

The fifth-year option is worth a fully guaranteed $18.199 million in 2027 for Gonzalez, the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The money could be folded into a long-term extension, which the Patriots have identified as a top priority for this summer.

Gonzalez, 23, made the Pro Bowl last season after posting 69 tackles and 10 passes defensed in 14 starts. He has three interceptions, 24 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one sack and 145 tackles in 34 career games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

Falcons’ Morris calls special teams play ‘awful,’ stops short of more changes

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Of the Atlanta Falcons’ many problems this season, special teams play has been chief among the main issues. Still, head coach Raheem Morris maintains there will be no changing of the guard with the unit.

Atlanta (4-8) is on its third kicker after releasing Younghoe Koo and John Parker Romo, while the team ranks last in average kickoff return yards (22.2) and third-worst in yards per punt return (5.9).

The lack of production was on display in the Falcons’ 27-24 loss to the lowly New York Jets on Sunday. Former Pro Bowler Jamal Agnew muffed a punt and the Jets recovered at Atlanta’s 2 in the second quarter, directly leading to their first touchdown. Zane Gonzalez missed a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter, before the Falcons’ kickoff unit allowed Isaiah Williams’ 83-yard return, leading to New York’s game-tying field goal in the fourth.

Despite the hapless play, Morris is sticking with special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, who’s been in the position since 2021.

“No. Not at this time,” Morris told reporters on Monday when asked if he’d make a change. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in what Marquice does. I’ve got a lot of confidence in our coaching techniques. I’ve got a lot of confidence in our guys to go and execute. We just have not done it.

“… We played awful (Sunday) on special teams. I don’t know how to say it any other way. You can’t give up the kickoff return, and you certainly can’t muff it on the 2-yard line. We gave up 10 points on special teams.”

Offensively, veteran Kirk Cousins has assumed the starting quarterback role after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending partially torn ACL. Cousins passed for 234 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, despite throwing to a much different receiving core than Atlanta envisioned having entering the year.

Leading receiver Drake London has missed two straight weeks with a knee strain. Ray-Ray McCloud, who had a career year with the Falcons last season, was released in October after missing several games and then being sent home as a “healthy scratch.”

The inexperience at the position was highlighted on Sunday, with Dylan Drummond, Deven Thompkins and David Sills V combining for 88 offensive snaps in the loss. The three have just 11 total career starts to their names. Thompkins was elevated in place of Casey Washington on Sunday, as the receiving carousel continues.

“You’ve got to go out there and find out who’s going to give you the best chance to win,” Morris said of the receiving room. “We went with (Thompkins). He kind of outplayed (Washington) in practice so we put D.T. out there. Drummond has been able to play a little for us the last two weeks. It’s always going to be performance-based and trying to see who can give you the best chance to win.”

Ahead of Atlanta’s home meeting with the Seattle Seahawks, Cousins may be getting a massive piece back in London.

“Drake is certainly getting better,” Morris said. “He certainly has a chance to play. We’ll have to see him move around a bit this week and we’ll get more or a feel for that by Wednesday and Thursday.”

–Field Level Media

Falcons sign veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez

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The Atlanta Falcons agreed Wednesday to a contract with kicker Zane Gonzalez, who worked out for the team on Tuesday.

To make room on the 53-man roster, the Falcons released defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham.

The Falcons (3-5) have lost three straight games and collectively their kickers are 13 of 17 on field-goal attempts as Atlanta prepares to depart for Sunday’s game in Berlin against the Indianapolis Colts (7-2).

Distance is the most commonly referenced shortcoming for Gonzalez. From 40-49 yards, he is 33 of 46, and from 50-plus he is 11 of 19.

His career long of 57 yards came on Halloween 2021 at Atlanta while kicking for the Carolina Panthers.

Misses have been a part of the story for Gonzalez, who was 38th in the NFL with a FG percentage of 71.4 in six games with the Washington Commanders last season. In 69 career games, Gonzalez has hit 96 of 120 (80%) field goals. He has converted 146 of 153 PATs since being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 draft. He did not appear in an NFL game in 2022 or 2023.

Gonzalez made his only attempt and all three extra points in Washington’s Dec. 29 overtime win against the Falcons last season.

The signing came after Atlanta placed kicker John Parker Romo on waivers. With a chance to tie the score against New England with 4:40 left last Sunday, he missed the extra point and the Patriots won 24-23.

Kicking woes have plagued the Falcons since a season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Younghoe Koo missed a game-tying 44-yarder in the final seconds. Atlanta lost the game 23-20.

–Field Level Media

Falcons send another kicker packing, will tote Zane Gonzalez to Germany

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Perhaps the third will be the charm for the Atlanta Falcons, but they’re going overseas to find out.

The Falcons (3-5) reportedly agreed to a contract with Zane Gonzalez, who worked out for the team on Tuesday as Atlanta prepares to depart for its International Series game in Berlin against the Indianapolis Colts (7-2).

The Falcons have lost three consecutive games and collectively Atlanta kickers are 13 of 17 on field-goal attempts.

Distance is the most commonly referenced shortcoming for Gonzalez. From 40-49 yards, he is 33-of-46 and from 50-plus he has 11 field goals and eight missed attempts.

But his career long of 57 yards came on Halloween 2021 at Atlanta while kicking for the Carolina Panthers.

Misses have been a part of the story for Gonzalez, who was 38th in the NFL with a FG percentage of 71.4 in six games with the Washington Commanders last season. In 69 career games, Gonzalez hit 96 of 120 (80%) field goals. He has converted 146 of 153 PATs since being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2017 draft. He did not appear in an NFL game in 2022 or 2023.

Gonzalez made his only attempt and all three extra points in Washington’s Dec. 29 overtime win against the Falcons last season.

The signing came after the Falcons placed kicker Parker Romo on waivers.

With a chance to tie the score at 24 against the New England Patriots with 4:40 left in Sunday’s game, Romo missed the extra point and Atlanta lost the game by that margin.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to make that kick and give yourself a chance,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Monday. “That’s the game. … We’ve got to get it fixed and it has to be fixed now.”

Kicking woes have plagued the Falcons since their season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Younghoe Koo missed a game-tying 44-yarder. Atlanta lost the game 23-20.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez injures hamstring

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New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was added to the team’s injury report on Thursday due to a hamstring injury.

He was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday.

Gonzalez missed the first three weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. It wasn’t immediately known if the current issue involves the same hamstring.

Gonzalez, 23, has made nine tackles in two games since returning. The Patriots (3-2) won both games.

The third-year pro has 85 tackles and three interceptions in 22 NFL games.

Safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring), linebacker Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and defensive end Keion White (elbow) missed Thursday’s practice on the defensive side.

New England hasn’t made a splashy move since losing running back Antonio Gibson (ACL) for the season during Sunday’s 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel hinted that Terrell Jennings might be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Jennings, 24, played college football at Florida A&M.

“I think he’s a great teammate,” head coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday when asked about Jennings. “I think he cares about the team. He’s able to play on special teams. He’s able to play on a fourth down. He’s got a toughness to him. I think he’s improved.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) on the field before the preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez ramping up for 2025 debut

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Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez was held out for the first three games of the 2025 season, but his return to the field could be imminent.

New England (1-2) head coach Mike Vrabel said the plan is for Gonzalez to “ramp up” and make his season debut Sunday against the Carolina Panthers (1-2).

“Excited about his efforts and willingness to get back, work hard, and practice last week,” Vrabel said Wednesday. “Hopefully he progresses throughout the week, and he can help us.”

Gonzalez has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for seven weeks.

The issue arose during a July 28 practice while covering wideout Stefon Diggs. He sat with the injury for more than a month.

Named second-team All-Pro in 2024, Gonzalez has 76 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes defended in 20 career games (all starts) for New England.

Gonzalez would be welcomed back by the Patriots, who have the No. 29 pass defense in the NFL, allowing 252 passing yards per game.

Gonzalez is expected to start opposite Carlton Davis III, who signed a three-year, $54 million contract in March.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts place kicker Matt Gay (7) kicks a field goal in overtime during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Reports: Commanders sign K Matt Gay, release Zane Gonzalez

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The Washington Commanders are signing Matt Gay to a one-year deal and releasing fellow kicker Zane Gonzalez, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Gay’s contract is worth up to $5 million with $4.35 million guaranteed, the most guaranteed money in NFL history for a kicker on a one-year deal, per NFL Network.

The Indianapolis Colts released Gay earlier this month, two seasons into a four-year deal signed in March 2023.

Gay, 31, has converted 85.5 percent of his field-goal attempts (165 of 193) and 96.3 percent of his PATs (206 of 214) in 90 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019), Los Angeles Rams (2020-22) and Colts. He made the Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl with the Rams during the 2021 season.

The Commanders had a revolving door at kicker during their breakthrough 12-5 campaign in 2024: Austin Seibert kicked in nine games, Gonzalez in six (plus the playoffs) and Greg Joseph and Cade York in one contest each.

Gonzalez, who turns 30 next week, had been out of the NFL since 2021 when he signed with Washington in November. Including the postseason, he made 12 of 15 field goals and 27 of 27 extra points for the Commanders.

Gonzalez had re-signed with Washington on a one-year deal last month.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) on the bench in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chargers CB J.C. Jackson traded back to Patriots

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Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson is headed back to New England, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday.

The Patriots have injury concerns in the secondary and Jackson’s relationship with the Chargers has soured.

Per the NFL Network, the Chargers will receive a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and the Patriots will pick up a seventh-rounder in the same draft.

Jackson, 28, signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with Los Angeles in March 2022 after four seasons in New England.

He was a healthy scratch for Week 3 against Minnesota and was active but played zero snaps in Week 4 versus Las Vegas.

“I’m still kind of confused and don’t have answers to why I’m getting treated like this,” Jackson said last week.

Patriots rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez sustained a shoulder injury in Sunday’s loss to Dallas and is likely to miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum, ESPN reported Wednesday.

Gonzalez, 21, was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month in September. The first-round pick (23rd overall) has 17 tackles, one interception and one sack in four starts.

New England’s Jack Jones (hamstring) and Marcus Jones (shoulder) are on injured reserve and fellow cornerback Jonathan Jones (ankle) has not played since Week 1.

Jackson has recorded 176 tackles, 58 passes defensed and 26 interceptions in 69 games (46 starts) with the Patriots (2018-21) and Chargers. He won Super Bowl LIII with New England and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) pulls a sled at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots sign first- and second-round picks

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Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and edge rusher Keion White signed their rookie contracts with the New England Patriots on Friday, getting their top two draft picks in the door before the official start of training camp.

Gonzalez was drafted 17th overall after the Patriots moved down in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers from No. 14. The Oregon product was the third cornerback selected in the first round.

“I’m glad Gonzo was there,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said of the selection. “I think when you just go and look for one guy and then he’s not there, there’s other players in the draft that can help us, as well. But he’s been great to work with, and I look forward to getting him ready to go for training camp.”

White, the 46th pick in the draft, had 7.5 sacks at Georgia Tech in 2022 and previously played at Old Dominion.

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Carolina Panthers place kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks the game winning field goal against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers trade kicker Zane Gonzalez to 49ers

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The Carolina Panthers have traded kicker Zane Gonzalez to the San Francisco 49ers, his agent announced on Twitter on Friday.

“Excited for @ZGonzalez_5 being traded to the @49ers,” agent Mike McCartney wrote.

The teams later announced that Gonzalez was headed to San Francisco for conditional late-round 2025 compensation. The Panthers had a surplus of kickers after signing Eddy Pineiro on Thursday to a new two-year deal.

Gonzalez did not play in a game last season. He was placed on the injured reserve after suffering a quad injury in the preseason contest.

Gonzalez is entering his sixth season in the NFL after a stellar collegiate career with Arizona State.

The 27-year-old Gonzalez was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns in 2017. He has played for the Browns (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2018-20) and Carolina (2021). He had made 91 of 113 career field-goal attempts (80.5 percent) and 127 of 134 extra-point attempts (94.8 percent).

–Field Level Media