New England Patriots
Brown noted that Gonzalez has a little more to say when lined up against him.
Christian Gonzalez isn’t historically known for trash talk, but A.J. Brown is hearing plenty from the corner during training camp. (Lane Turner/Globe Staff)
When A.J. Brown and Christian Gonzalez line up against each other at Patriots training camp, there are usually fireworks sounding off.
The newly acquired Pro Bowl receiver and the All-Pro corner have been trading blows all camp long as they sharpen each other up for Week 1. Brown has gotten the better of Gonzalez a handful of times for impressive grabs, but Gonzalez has had his fair share of wins in 1-on-1s and game simulation as well.
On Saturday, Brown talked about what it’s been like lining up against Gonzalez so far, and the smack talking that comes with those battles.
“He’s going a little bit more [with me],” Brown said. “With everybody else, he’s real calm and relaxed and it’s more fluid, but it’s cool.”
Gonzalez explained that his extra trash talk is intentional, helping prepare Brown for what he’ll face from other star corners this season.
“He’s a No. 1 receiver in this league going up against a No. 1 corner, that’s how it’s going to go,” Gonzalez said. “It’s football at the end of the day. There’s never any disrespect, we’re just battling and getting each other better.
“It’s great work for the both of us.”
Brown will be up against his fair share of top secondaries, including Week 1 when New England takes on the Seahawks. But these sparring sessions will likely be even more important for Gonzalez, who has a difficult slate of receivers on his 2026 calendar.
Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Justin Jefferson, D.K. Metcalf, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and plenty of others will get a crack at Gonzalez this year, in the toughest slate of his career so far. A bigger bodied receiver like Brown should prepare Gonzalez for those Pro-Bowlers more effectively.
Gonzalez has been the ultimate professional through his contract situation. Despite openly seeking a new deal, the corner has been actively participating in training camp activities against Brown and keeping himself prepared for the regular season.
New England appears poised to give Gonzalez a lucrative new deal at some point in the near future. Robert Kraft has indicated the Patriots already offered Gonzalez top-corner back money, though the exact details of that offer are unknown.
As for Brown, the former Eagles receiver comes into the season with high expectations and something to prove, following somewhat of a down year last season. Even with less production than he hoped to get, though, Brown still eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.
With Drake Maye, Brown is poised for a productive 2026. Maye had the best deep-ball in the NFL last season, and Brown thrives making plays downfield. Maye is making it very clear during training camp that he won’t be afraid to take shots downfield this year.
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