The New England Patriots enter Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season with a 1-2 record, still searching for offensive consistency after a difficult three-game stretch to begin the year.
In an interview with Patriots Wire's Jordy McElroy, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez weighed in on the state of the team’s offense at this point in the season with A.J. Brown out due to injury.
“Anytime you want to have your guys,” Gonzalez said. “There's a lot of talent in that room. From [Romeo Doubs], to [DeMario Douglas], to [Mack Hollins], to [Efton Chism], to Kyle [Williams]. There's plenty of talent. Obviously, you want to have A.J. You can't say you don't want to have him, but there's no drop-off. That's what we pride ourselves on as our team.
"The next man
just got to be ready. The next man got to step up. It's pro football. Injuries are going to happen. Everybody has to be ready to go. They're doing their job. They're coming into work. They work real hard. They got their head down. It's football. It's the offense. It's going to click. We're not worried about it at all."
New England’s lows have been evident in the numbers. The Patriots are tied with the Miami Dolphins for the NFL's lowest scoring average, 12 points per game, and they have scored only two offensive touchdowns this season. Brown’s absence has been felt, but the struggles of the Patriots’ main weapons have kept the team from winning.
Drake Maye has thrown for 585 yards, while the Patriots as a team have gained 328 yards on the ground. Maye’s six interceptions are tied for the most in the NFL, while the Patriots’ 32.5-percent third-down conversion rate ranks near the bottom of the league.
The Patriots have the receiving depth to help turn the team’s season around. New England must create more scoring opportunities and improve individual performances to elevate their offense while Brown remains sidelined to get back to their winning ways.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Christian Gonzalez's blunt statement on Patriots without A.J. Brown
