When Christian Gonzalez signed a four-year, $135 million contract with the Patriots before the season, it was a new record for a cornerback. On Sunday, Gonzalez set a very different kind of record.
According to [Next Gen Stats](https://x.com/NextGenStats/status/2119594502499533106), which uses player tracking to determine which defensive back is in coverage on every pass thrown in every game, Gonzalez had a bad game against two Packers receivers that was unlike anything seen before.
Gonzalez allowed seven catches for 105 yards to Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden, and three catches for 82 yards to Packers wide receiver Christian Watson. Gonzalez is the only defender, as far back as Next Gen Stats go (since at least 2018) to allow more than 80 receiving yards in coverage to two different players in the same game.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said the [Patriots expect better from Gonzalez](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/mike-vrabel-on-christian-gonzalez-we-expect-more-he-expects-more), and he expects better from himself. The Patriots need to be better on Sunday, when they’re playing a Lions offense that also focuses its passing game around two big-play wide receivers, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. They must be licking their chops watching film of Gonzalez this week.