How Christian Gonzalez Responded To ‘Screaming Match’ Report

Christian Gonzalez believes he’s right where he’s supossed to be.

The Patriots cornerback was dragged into a Super Bowl week storyline after it was reported there was a “screaming match” in the Commanders war room during the 2023 NFL Draft. The argument in Washington rooted from whether the Commanders should select Immanuel Forbes or Gonzalez, according to NBC Sports Washington’s JP Finlay.

Washington drafted Forbes one pick before New England selected Gonzalez.

Speaking with NESN.com from radio row in New Orleans on Wednesday, Gonzalez responded to the report. Gonzalez said he doesn’t put much thought into it, or what transpired on draft night.

“I mean, I got drafted to Boston for a reason,” Gonzalez told NESN.com during a video conference. “It’s panning out. The draft, that’s past me. That’s beyond me now. I’m focused on being the best player I can be, the best person I can be and continuing to grow.”

Finlay’s report surfaced during an appearance on 106.7 The Fan’s “BMitch & Finlay” show.

“They were like, ‘Yo, this dude has prototype size, speed, every measurable you have,'” Finlay said of the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Gonzalez. “And then you look at a lot of the decisions during that Ron (Rivera) era, it seemed like they were not scared to move away from what you would want size and speed.”

The Commanders selected Forbes with the 16th overall pick. The Mississippi State product, who measured 6-foot and 180 pounds, no longer plays for the Commanders. He was placed on waivers midway through his second season and claimed by the Rams.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, was drafted by the Patriots with the No. 17 pick. He was limited to four games during his rookie season due to injury, but Gonzalez returned in 2024 and was named a Second Team All-Pro after he handcuffed many of the league’s top wideouts.

Gonzalez looks like one of the league’s best cornerbacks, and a building block for the Patriots organization. New England should be happy the “screaming match” in Washington didn’t go in a different direction.