Before we even got to truly see just how good Christian Gonzalez could be, his season was cut short in 2023.
Now, the second-year corner from Oregon is feeling healthy and ready to go for 2024.
“Healthy, excited to go, focused on just getting better and coming in every day and just keep getting back to work,” Gonzalez said to open his media availability on Tuesday when asked how he was doing.
As far as his shoulder injury, Gonzalez says it’s behind him now.
“That’s in the past, you know?” he added. “Ready for right now and just happy to be back in the building, be around the guys and just have fun.”
Of course, the building looks and sounds a lot different than it did when he was last on the field in September. Gonzalez was asked about the regime change and what it’s been like under head coach Jerod Mayo so far.
“He just loves coming in, bringing that energy. We always hear him. We always hear him laughing and joking, but always serious in giving you great coaching points from him playing linebacker,” Gonzalez said. “That helps corners and the corners help the linebackers, so it all kind of goes back to helping each other and we had a great relationship (last year).
“I’m excited to build it.”
Gonzalez wouldn’t say whether or not he’ll be on the field when mandatory minicamp rolls around in mid-June, but he did say the voluntary offseason workouts and team building in the spring has been beneficial for everyone so far.
“It’s kind of more just being around the defense and working with the defense,” he said. “New faces, learning the playbook and getting back to just doing football movements. A lot of running, getting back in shape and doing things like that.”
As for the new rookies coming in this weekend, what advice would the now NFL sophomore give them?
It wasn’t quite Belichick-esque, but it’s close. Fittingly, Gonzalez was also wearing a cut off hoodie during Tuesday’s presser too.
“Just take it day-by-day, it’s a long year,” he added. “That’s kind of what I’ve been telling a couple of my friends that I knew were coming out from Oregon. It’s exciting, but it’s a long year. But, it also goes fast at the same time.
“Keep your head down and enjoy it. Make the little things…build relationships and just come in and get ready to work.”