More recognition came down for Patriots standout corner Christian Gonzalez on Thursday, as the 22-year-old was named as a finalist for the 2024 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Gonzalez, who only played four games in 2023 before suffering a torn labrum that would sideline him the remainder of his rookie season, had an outstanding bounce back season in 2024 - one that landed him on the All-Pro second team on January 10.
After being snubbed from whatever it is the Pro Bowl has become, Gonzalez has now received two recognitions of higher esteem for how he played during his team’s 4-13 season.
For a No. 1 corner to rise above a bad season of that caliber, you know it had to be special.
After a season of consistently shutting down some of the best receivers in the NFL, Gonzalez received a ranking of 20th out of 233 eligible corners from Pro Football Focus - an outstanding mark given the circumstances his defense was dealing with on a weekly basis in 2024.
And while Gonzalez is unlikely to win the award given some of the popular narratives surrounding his fellow finalists, it’s a testament to the second-year player’s ability to elevate his game despite the disorganization around him.
Here’s a full list of finalists for the 2024 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year:
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
- Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings QB
- Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills S
- J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers RB
- Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots CB
A Patriot has only won this award three times since it started being given out in 1963.
Here’s a full list of New England Patriots to have won AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year:
- Tedy Bruschi returning to football after suffering a stroke in 2005
- Tom Brady throwing for over 4,300 yards in 2009 after missing almost the entirety of the 2008 season with a torn ACL
- Rob Gronkowski returning to the football field in dominant fashion in 2014 after tearing his ACL and MCL in December of the 2013 season
While Gonzalez is unlikely to join that list of winners during the NFL Honors awards show on February 6 in New Orleans, it’s a great sign for Patriots fans that the young face of their defense is good enough to be in this discussion.
Let’s hope Gonzalez never suffers another injury where he’d have to be a part of this type of discussion again.