Christian Gonzalez: Patriots Did Jerod Mayo 'A Little Dirty' By Firing Him for Vrabel

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is set to play for his third head coach in his three-year career, and he didn't hold back his thoughts on the team's decision to fire Jerod Mayo after one year and replace him with Mike Vrabel.

During an appearance on the Frat Rules Podcast, Gonzalez was asked if he liked Mayo as a head coach and he answered affirmatively before revealing that firing him after one year on the job didn't completely sit right with him.

"I did [like Mayo as a coach]. I did. I think they did him a little dirty giving him only one year," Gonzalez said. "But, it’s business."

Gonzalez was drafted by the Patriots with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, and his rookie season was the team's final year under legendary head coach Bill Belichick. While Mayo was hand-picked by team owner Robert Kraft as Belichick's replacement, the team's second straight 4-13 finish was enough for Kraft to decide a change was needed yet again.

Despite New England's lackluster campaign, Gonzalez excelled under Mayo's guidance and was named second-team All-Pro after producing 59 total tackles, 11 passes defended, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Vrabel was one of the most coveted coaching candidates on the market and is expected to quickly turn around the rebuilding Patriots, so perhaps Gonzalez will reach even greater heights with the 49-year-old calling the shots in 2025 and beyond.