As the New England Patriots lock in on their Super Bowl preparations, Christian Gonzalez has more than just opposing wideouts on his radar this week. While he's been deep in film study on playmakers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, the Patriots' standout cornerback also had reason to celebrate a family milestone - one that just so happens to involve another NFL team.
Gonzalez’s brother-in-law, David Blough, was officially named the new offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, making him one of the youngest offensive minds to take the reins in recent NFL memory. And while Gonzalez is laser-focused on the task at hand - trying to bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Foxborough - he took a moment during Super Bowl media week to give his sister’s husband a well-earned shoutout.
“Yeah, I think it's awesome. I'm so excited for him,” Gonzalez said with a smile.
“To us, to people who’ve known him, it’s no surprise. He’s a brilliant mind, a really good ball mind, knows so much about ball.”
This isn't just a casual family connection. Gonzalez has known Blough since their high school days, and he’s had a front-row seat to the grind and growth that brought Blough to this point.
“I’ve been fortunate to know him since I was, I don’t know, maybe together in high school,” Gonzalez added. “So I got to see a lot of it, and it’s been real cool.”
Blough’s journey to the coordinator’s headset has been anything but conventional. After going undrafted out of Purdue, he bounced around the league as a quarterback - suiting up for teams like the Browns, Lions, Vikings, and Cardinals.
He carved out a niche as a dependable presence in quarterback rooms, even if he wasn’t always on the active roster. That experience behind center gave him a unique perspective, and Washington took notice.
Blough transitioned into coaching with the Commanders, working his way up from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in a remarkably short span.
Now 30 years old, Blough becomes one of the league’s youngest playcallers - and he’ll be tasked with helping turn around a Commanders offense that’s looking to take the next step. Gonzalez, for one, believes Blough is more than ready.
“He’s got weapons out there,” Gonzalez said. “I’m excited for him, for his new journey, and my sister and their family. I think they can do it together and enjoy it and have a great year.”
Of course, there may come a time when family ties take a backseat - like if the Commanders and Patriots square off. But for now, Gonzalez is simply proud.
Proud of the work Blough’s put in. Proud of the opportunity he’s earned.
And proud to see someone he’s known for so long get his shot to lead an NFL offense.
It’s a reminder that football families run deep - and sometimes, the biggest wins happen off the field.