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2025 New England Patriots coaching camp: Newest intel, updates

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  • Mike ReissAug 10, 2025, 08:43 PM ET

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      Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The New England Patriots’ camp is taking place at Gillette Stadium and Patriots reporter Mike Reiss has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.

What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at camp. We will update this file often on Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel, Stefon Diggs and more! Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?

Let’s get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Thursday.

Camp updates for all 32 teams

Latest news from Patriots camp

Sunday, Aug. 10

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The biggest surprise of the Patriots’ 13th practice of training camp came when safety Kyle Dugger ran with the second-string defense.

Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the team last offseason after having been assigned the transition tag — a reflection that he was viewed as a core player under the prior regime of coach Jerod Mayo and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.

Dugger was also the top draft pick of coach Bill Belichick in 2020 after the team traded down in the first round and landed him near the top of the second round (No. 37).

But how Dugger fits in the new regime led by first-year head coach Mike Vrabel remains uncertain, and Sunday shined a spotlight on his role as Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson were primarily the top three safeties in a practice that featured mostly red-zone work.

The 6-foot-1, 216-pound Dugger started in Friday’s preseason opener and played 18 defensive snaps and three special teams snaps. He was credited with one tackle.

More:

  • Undrafted free-agent receiver Efton Chism III made the catch of practice, elevating for a pass into the end zone from quarterback Joshua Dobbs and coming down with it despite sticky coverage from Marcus Jones.

  • Starting cornerback Carlton Davis III, who has practiced sparingly up to this point, increased his workload and had one pass breakup in the end zone.

  • Receiver Stefon Diggs, who has done some of his best work in the red zone and had an early TD catch in practice, uncharacteristically dropped a would-be TD in the end zone on the final play.

  • Rookie OT Marcus Bryant (seventh round, Missouri) and first-year CB DJ James (Auburn, INT in preseason opener) didn’t finish practice due to undisclosed injuries.

  • Vrabel said CB Christian Gonzalez would join the team in Minnesota on Wednesday/Thursday for joint practices but will not participate in them as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Vrabel added that WR Ja’Lynn Polk, who left Friday’s preseason opener with appeared to be a right shoulder/collarbone injury, will not be there.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

The Patriots’ practice with the Commanders ended with a challenge for the starting and backup units for both teams.

Ball on the opponents’ 25-yard line. 45 seconds on the clock. Officials on the field.

Who wins?

For the starters, the Patriots’ defense stopped the Jayden Daniels-led offense when CB Alex Austin broke up a fourth-and-7 pass in the end zone.

But the Drake Maye-led Patriots offense was stopped when, on second-and-goal from the 9-yard line, quarterback Maye’s pass toward the end zone to an open Pop Douglas was deflected by linebacker Bobby Wagner and intercepted by Mike Sainristil.

“It was a good play by for Bobby. I think I could have looked him [off] a different way; he barely got a hand out,” said Maye, who had been mostly sharp throughout the practice in a promising day for the offense. “I tried to throw it with some speed down there in the red zone to hopefully not have tipped balls, but a good play by him.”

Patriots backup QB Joshua Dobbs had arguably the throw of the day — on first-and-10 — connecting with WR Mack Hollins for a 25-yard TD at the front right pylon.

But the Patriots’ second-team defense couldn’t hold, as Washington backup QB Sam Hartman found WR Jacoby Jones for a 3-yard touchdown on the final play with 2 seconds left.

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  • Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson had two drops in the passing game, which was out of character for him.

  • Veteran WR Stefon Diggs, who had been a full participant up to this point of training camp, arrived on the practice field about halfway through the workout. Diggs’ first drill came in 7-on-7 work in the red zone and the first three passes from Maye were in his direction.

  • When the top offenses for each team went against the other team’s top defense, both head coaches — Washington’s Dan Quinn and New England’s Mike Vrabel — stayed on the field with their offenses.

  • Third-year player Demontrey Jacobs and 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant split top reps at right tackle as veteran Morgan Moses didn’t participate in practice as part of a combination of injury and load management, with Vrabel saying, “Just want to be smart and make sure that everybody’s plan is the best one for them to be prepared for the season.”

  • Rookie kicker Andy Borregales was 4-of-4 in the lone full-team field-goal work, while Parker Romo was 3-of-4.

  • Celtics star Jayson Tatum, former Patriots WR Danny Amendola and rocker Jon Bon Jovi were among the celebrities in attendance on a day that drew the largest crowd of training camp; the ramps to the stadium overlooking the practice fields were open to accommodate the overflow.

Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?

WR DeMario Douglas. Outside of one dropped pass on Wednesday, he capped off a strong couple weeks as a shifty slot player that the Commanders struggled to cover.

Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in preseason games?

How does the offensive line hold up? Vrabel said all healthy players should expect to play in the preseason opener, but wasn’t sure how long. That means that first-round pick Will Campbell and third-round pick Jared Wilson are likely start at left tackle and left guard, respectively. Seven-year veteran Garrett Bradbury projects as the starting center, with six-year veteran Mike Onwenu at right guard and 12-year vet Morgan Moses at right tackle. Better protection for quarterback Drake Maye is a must.

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Coach Mike Vrabel dialed back the intensity by scheduling a walkthrough in advance of Wednesday’s highly anticipated joint practice with the Commanders.

Perhaps the most notable development was that 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker stayed with the top receivers when Vrabel split the fields between starters and backups.

That could have been a response to Monday when the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Baker caught three touchdown passes in 7-on-7 drills, showing strong hands and the ability to attack the football.

Third-year player Kayshon Boutte, whose place among the top four receivers has been one of the notable storylines of camp, was asked about Baker’s emergence after the walkthrough.

“I’m not surprised by the things he does. It might surprise y’all, but we’ve seen it on the day-to-day,” said Boutte.

Boutte, Stefon Diggs and DeMario “Pop” Douglas have consistently been the top pass-catchers in practice, with veteran Mack Hollins and 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams the next options. With a potential sixth and seventh spot available, and with veteran Kendrick Bourne sidelined after being rolled up on on Friday night, this looks like Baker’s chance to make a move.

More:

  • Vrabel wore a green No. 3 scout-team jersey during the walkthrough, and at one point attempted to deflect a pass toward the sideline.

  • Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who was treated for dehydration on Monday and left practice early, was present for the entire practice.

  • Practice squad TE Jack Westover has shown up in recent days by aligning more in the backfield in a fullback-type role. If the team considers keeping a third TE behind veterans Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Westover could improve his chances by adding to his versatility. Other TEs on the roster are 2024 seventh-round pick Jaheim Bell, undrafted rookie free agents CJ Dippre and Gee Scott Jr., and recent signings Tyler Davis and Cole Fotheringham.

Monday, Aug. 4

When the Patriots selected Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round (No. 38), one of the things they hoped he would add to their attack is a big-play threat — especially in the passing game.

That showed up during Monday’s full-pads practice when the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Henderson hauled in a 20-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown pass from quarterback Drake Maye in the back left corner of the end zone. Linebacker Christian Elliss was in coverage.

Earlier in practice, Henderson had another long TD reception, with starting middle linebacker Robert Spillane in coverage.

Fellow running back Rhamondre Stevenson took note of the challenge that linebackers have in attempting to cover Henderson, saying: “They better be able to move because he’s fast.”

Henderson’s big plays — which included a shorter TD grab to the front left pylon with safety Kyle Dugger in coverage — were timely from the standpoint that he was one of the players scheduled to speak with reporters after practice, the 10th of training camp.

“Coach McDaniels does a great job getting us in space. It was a nice pass from Drake. It was nice to come down with it,” Henderson said of his highlight play.

More:

  • Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams was treated for dehydration at practice. He left midway through with the help of the medical staff as part of taking extra precaution.

  • Undrafted receiver Efton Chism III had a brilliant leaping catch in the end zone from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, with safety Craig Woodson in coverage. That catch, along with third-year receiver Kayshon Boutte toe-tapping on a tight-window throw from Maye along the right side of the end zone, were among the best of the day.

  • Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (shoulder) was activated from the physically unable to perform list and began work as the third-unit left tackle.

  • The first-unit offensive line was LT Will Campbell, LG Jared Wilson, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu and RT Morgan Moses.

  • The Patriots switched things up along the second-unit offensive line, with 2025 seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant (Missouri) flipped from left tackle to right tackle, and second-year player Demontrey Jacobs flipping from right tackle to left tackle. The interior was LG Ben Brown, C Cole Strange and RG Tyrese Robinson — in part because prior second-unit guards Caedan Wallace and Sidy Sow were out with undisclosed injuries.

  • Kickers Andy Borregales and Parker Romo were both 4-of-4 in full-team field-goal drills. Each hit from 54, which was the longest of camp for both kickers, who have been sharp (23 of 25 overall).

  • One of the stars of the day in 1-on-1 pass-rush drills was undrafted free agent outside linebacker Elijah Ponder (Cal Poly), who showed a knack for bending the edge against four different backup offensive tackles.

  • Cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr., the 2024 sixth-round pick, was carted off the field as practice stopped for a few minutes about halfway through. Third-year defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy also didn’t finish practice.

  • Former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman, as well as former Titans players Taylor Lewan and Will Compton (who played under Vrabel) were among the guests at practice.

Saturday, Aug. 2

Saturday is a day off for the Patriots after a stretch of five practices in five days, but as Bill Belichick once famously said, there are really “no days off.”

Along those lines, the Patriots’ personnel staff, led by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, are likely asking the question: Is more personnel needed along the offensive line?

This comes after a week in which the Patriots have had four linemen leave practice with injuries — starting C Garrett Bradbury (ankle), third-string LT Yasir Durant (placed on IR), second-string RG Sidy Sow (unknown) and second-string LG Caedan Wallace (unknown).

That explains why undrafted G Mehki Butler (Arkansas State) was one of the linemen protecting starting QB Drake Maye in Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage.

This is commonplace in training camp, but with the Washington Commanders coming to town Wednesday for a joint practice and then the preseason opener Friday, the situation on the O-line has possibly hit a tipping point.

As Wolf told Sirius XM NFL Radio earlier in the week when asked about adding free agents, “It comes in two prongs. No. 1, do we need a guy to help us practice and get through the preseason? Like a younger guy. Or do we really need veteran help at [any] position? There’s not a ton of veteran help on the street right now.

“Then you start looking at trades and our pro staff is constantly looking at other teams’ rosters, working the phones, just trying to decide if there’s another team that has a surplus of players at a certain position and a deficit somewhere else, then maybe we can work a player-for-player trade. So it’s a constant updating.”

Friday, Aug. 1

The Patriots held an intra-squad scrimmage on Friday inside Gillette Stadium, welcoming their season-ticket members and Foxborough residents as the white team posted a 47-38 victory over the blue team.

One of the highlight plays was one that running back Rhamondre Stevenson — playing for the blue team — would like back.

Stevenson, who led non-QBs with seven fumbles in the 2024 season, had the ball stripped away from him and recovered by linebacker Robert Spillane.

Coach Mike Vrabel has previously said that Stevenson is “going to be a large part of what we do,” and noted that on some of his fumbles last season, there weren’t enough teammates downfield to protect him.

Nonetheless, improved ball security will be a primary focus for Stevenson, who projects as the starter with second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson and veteran Antonio Gibson next on the depth chart. Undrafted free agent Lan Larison (UC-Davis) and first-year player Terrell Jennings are also on the depth chart, and could be vying for a fourth roster spot.

More:

  • QB Drake Maye threw his first interception of training camp (ninth practice), when WR Stefon Diggs couldn’t corral a pass and it popped up to LB Spillane. He later threw a second pick to CB Alex Austin on what looked like a miscommunication with rookie WR Kyle Williams in the 2-minute drill.

  • Maye had a 32-yard TD pass to Williams on a trick play, while backup Joshua Dobbs answered with a 35-yard TD strike to Kayshon Boutte.

  • Veteran safety Jaylinn Hawkins had 2 INTs in the scrimmage — one on WR DeMario “Pop” Douglas on a trick play, and the other on undrafted rookie QB Ben Wooldridge (that went through the hands of undrafted Larison).

  • Larison, who had some extra reps with Gibson not practicing, had one of the best runs of the practice by making a sharp cut to the inside and darting in for a 5-yard TD.

  • Veteran WR Kendrick Bourne hobbled off the field with what looked like an ankle/foot injury.

  • For the scrimmage, Vrabel had ILBs coach Zak Kuhr as the head coach of the blue team, with Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator. Meanwhile, TEs coach Thomas Brown was the head coach of the white team, with Terrell Williams as the defensive coordinator.

  • Vrabel said coaches held a draft to split up the roster, and joked, “I’ll let you figure out who won the coin flip.” Maye, for what it’s worth, was on the blue team.

Thursday, July 31

Veteran WR Mack Hollins practiced for the first time after opening training camp on the physically unable to perform list, and his place on the depth chart was notable.

The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Hollins worked with the starters at the walk-through practice. On his first snap, he aligned opposite Stefon Diggs, with DeMario Douglas in the slot.

Hollins’ return seemed to most impact third-year receiver Kayshon Boutte, who had mostly been working alongside Diggs and Douglas. The 5-foot-11, 197-pound Boutte still took some snaps among the starters, but Hollins’ presence was a reminder that the team has significant plans for him after signing him to a two-year, $8.4 million contract in the offseason.

Hollins had 31 receptions for 378 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Bills.

The Patriots also have 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams, nine-year veteran Kendrick Bourne, 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round), and 2025 undrafted free agent Efton Chism III on the roster at a suddenly crowded receiver spot.

More:

  • Quarterback Drake Maye has yet to throw an interception through eight practices (2 walkthroughs).

  • Maye on Diggs in the red zone: “His mindset, just attacking the football. A guy like that, with his stature who has caught a lot of touchdowns in this league and made a lot of big plays, he wants to go get the football. He tells me all the time, ‘If the ball is in the air, it’s going to be mine.’ I think it’s comforting hearing it…”

  • Third-round pick Jared Wilson once again aligned as the top left guard, with fourth-year veteran Ben Brown as the top center (with veteran Garrett Bradbury sidelined due to an ankle injury).

  • With starting CB Christian Gonzalez rehabbing a left hamstring injury, first-year player DJ James (6-foot-0 ,184 pounds) has received some starting-level reps in his absence.

  • Veteran starting CB Carlton Davis III, who has participated in just three of eight practices (1 regular, 2 walkthroughs), returned to the field.

  • A full-pads scrimmage is scheduled for inside Gillette Stadium on Friday night, with the team split in half — with Maye leading one offense and Joshua Dobbs the other.

Wednesday, July 30

When Patriots coach Mike Vrabel arrived at practice, he was flanked by Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and Mazzulla’s son, Michael Harden.

“Joe’s fantastic. I appreciate him from the time that I got here, reaching out,” Vrabel said. “We’re probably different personalities, and I think that that’s probably the thing I appreciate most about him. He’s always trying to learn and gain knowledge, different ways about building a team, about strategy, about scheme, about inspiring players to do their job better. So, I always love my conversations with him.”

Vrabel brought the Patriots’ rookie class to the Celtics’ facility in June.

Meanwhile, Mazzulla’s son plays football at Xaverian Brothers High School, which is about 10 miles north of Gillette Stadium in the town of Westwood, Massachusetts. He’s an outside linebacker, which of course was Vrabel’s position over his 14-year playing career.

More:

  • With starting center Garrett Bradbury not at practice after appearing to injure his ankle on Tuesday, it was a surprise to see Ben Brown take his spot with the starters, with 2025 third-round pick Jared Wilson as the top left guard. Some shaky QB/C exchanges with Wilson might have contributed to that decision, which also bumped Cole Strange to center on the second unit.

  • QB Drake Maye has yet to throw an interception in seven practices, which reflects, in part, his improved decision-making. Arguably his best throw of the day was a 35-yard strike down the right sideline to rookie WR Kyle Williams (CB DJ James in coverage, with S Kyle Dugger in the area).

  • Former Harvard standout Truman Jones flashed in 1-on-1s with a dynamic spin move on OT Demontrey Jacobs, seemed to get the better of veteran OT Morgan Moses on a wide rush in a prior rep, and also received more OLB reps in team drills with starter Harold Landry III getting an off day. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Jones was one of the team’s four offseason award winners and could be making a push for a roster spot.

  • Other decisive defensive wins in 1-on-1 pass-rush reps: Rookie OLB Bradyn Swinson (over LT Will Campbell), OLB Elijah Ponder bending around RT Jack Conley and DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. racing past LG Strange.

  • Unlike the previous two practices, when the Patriots had just one kicker attempt field goals, they split the reps between sixth-round pick Andy Borregales and John Parker Romo. Each went 4-of-4, with the distance between 33 and 53 yards.

Tuesday, July 29

When veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs assessed Tuesday’s practice, he said the team’s QBs felt they missed some opportunities early and then finished strong — particularly in the red zone.

One notable theme from the red-zone work: Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs showcased obvious chemistry by connecting on two touchdowns.

Diggs, in particular, seems to have a knack for working in tight spaces. On the first touchdown, with the ball around the 10-yard line, Diggs out-leveraged the defense and created an opening to the back right-hand corner of the end zone. Maye delivered a beautiful ball after stepping up into the pocket, with rookie safety Craig Woodson as the nearest defender.

And on the second TD, from around the 5-yard line, Diggs again ran through traffic toward the back right-hand corner of the end zone, with first-year cornerback DJ James trailing closely. The window was tight, and Maye, who possibly would have been sacked in live action, again delivered an accurate strike that Diggs hauled in for 6.

More:

  • CB Christian Gonzalez didn’t practice after pulling up on Monday and reaching for his left leg. Gonzalez arrived on the field toward the end of the workout — wearing shorts, a t-shirt, hat and a medical sleeve over his left leg — and watched a red-zone drill with his defensive teammates. He seemed to be in good spirits.

  • One day after rookie left tackle Will Campbell was ripped to the ground by Keion White in his first 1-on-1 pass-rush repetition, Campbell responded by locking White out on the first repetition on Tuesday. He has strong hands.

  • Rookie kicker Andy Borregales was 6-of-6 in the lone full-team field-goal drill of practice, which was an important response for him after going 2-of-4 on Saturday. Furthermore, his competition for the job, John Parker Romo, was a decisive 6-of-6 on Monday.

  • Attrition on the offensive line bears watching, as starting center Garrett Bradbury limped off late, starting right tackle Morgan Moses was a limited participant, and third-string left tackle Yasir Durant also didn’t finish.

  • Receiver Javon Baker, the 2024 fourth-round pick who is fighting for a roster spot, showed strong hands by snaring a 6-yard touchdown pass from Dobbs in a red-zone drill (over CB Marcellas Dial Jr. — almost plucking it off his helmet).

Monday, July 28

Starting cornerback Christian Gonzalez left practice about midway through, as he was covering WR Stefon Diggs on a crossing route and pulled up before reaching toward his left leg. Gonzalez took himself off the field, limping to the sideline and sitting behind teammates around the 30-yard line. After sitting down briefly, he popped up and walked under his own power to the far field and athletic training tent. He had a slight limp.

There was no immediate word on Gonzalez’s status.

Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III project as the team’s starters. Davis, who opened camp on the non-football injury list, has only participated in two full practices (one was a walkthrough).

With both Gonzalez and Davis not on the field Monday, it thrust Alex Austin and Marcus Jones into the top roles, with 2024 sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial Jr. the top slot option.

More:

  • John Parker Romo, who is competing against sixth-round pick Andy Borregales at kicker, was 6-of-6 in the lone full-team field-goal work (distance from 32 to 52). Borregales, who was 2-of-4 on Saturday (including a missed PAT), didn’t kick.

  • This was the first full-pads practice of training camp, and it included 1-on-1 work for offensive linemen and defensive linemen/linebackers. DE Keion White had a pull/rip move on LT Will Campbell for one of the more decisive wins. Campbell, the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, seemed to recover and held his ground well in 11-on-11 work.

  • Other notable 1-on-1 wins from defenders from this reporter’s perspective: DT Khyiris Tonga over the left shoulder of C Garrett Bradbury, OLB Anfernee Jennings getting around RT Demontrey Jacobs; DT Jahvaree Ritzie over the outside shoulder of LG Caedan Wallace.

  • Notable 1-on-1 wins for offensive linemen: Starting RG Mike Onwenu holds his ground vs. DT Christian Barmore; backup RG Sidy Sow slows down rookie DT Joshua Farmer.

  • With the team in full pads for the first time, the practice notably focused heavily on the run game. The defense seemed to have the upper hand.

  • WR Ja’Lynn Polk practiced for the first time in training camp, and caught a short TD pass from Drake Maye in the back left-hand corner of the end zone.

  • Rookie center Jared Wilson (third round, Georgia) was involved in a fumbled center/QB exchange with Maye in 11-on-11 work.

  • Undrafted free-agent WR Demeer Blankumsee was carted off late in the practice.

Saturday, July 26

There has been one obvious theme through the Patriots’ first four training camp practices: It’s first-round pick Will Campbell as the starting left tackle and then a notable gap behind him on the depth chart (seventh-round pick Marcus Bryant).

Campbell, the No. 4 overall pick, has hung tough through the start of camp as edge rushers have mostly had the luxury of peeling their ears back and surging up the field because there is little threat of a running game until full pads come on Monday.

The Patriots are counting on him to upgrade a unit that ranked 31st in pass block win rate last season.

In his first interview since camp began, Campbell struck a humble tone.

“When you’re a rookie, there’s not a lot that you’ve seen, so you’re trying to get better in any way, shape and form that you can to help this football team,” he said. “I think we have a great culture as a rookie class. We’ve lived in a hotel together since we’ve got here in the spring, so we’ve always been around each other, and are hungry and eager to work.”

More:

  • Sixth-round pick Andy Borregales hooked a PAT wide left to open the competitive kicking portion of practice. He took responsibility after practice for mishitting the football.

  • Drake Maye had two touchdown passes of about 60 yards — the first to WR Javon Baker in 7-on-7 drills, and the second to DeMario Douglas in 11-on-11 drills when he rolled out of the pocket to his right and kept his eyes up the field.

  • LB Robert Spillane had two pass-breakups as one of the defense’s more active players. Side note on Spillane: As one of the first players to arrive at practice each day, he often sprints on to the field as a way to fire himself up.

  • Rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson caught a long touchdown pass from backup QB Joshua Dobbs on a double move that shook LB Marte Mapu.

  • First-year CB D.J. James, who had the first interception of camp, showed up again with a breakup on a Dobbs pass intended for WR Kyle Williams.

  • Tight coverage from LB Jack Gibbens on RB Lan Larison resulted in a Dobbs pass being batted to S Jabrill Peppers for an interception — the second pick of camp for the defense (both off Dobbs).

Friday, July 25

The Patriots held a walkthrough practice on Day 3 of camp, dialing back the physical load on players. That provided a springboard to zoom out and gain perspective on how quarterback Drake Maye is making an impression on teammates, such as projected starting center Garrett Bradbury.

“I can’t believe how mature he is at such a young age,” said the 30-year-old Bradbury, who spent the first six years of his career with the Vikings before joining New England as a free agent this offseason. “I spent a lot of time with him this spring and I have to remind myself he’s 22. In terms of his approach and his mentality, he doesn’t act like a 22-year-old. He understands the weight of the position he plays.

“He’s always picking my brain. I got to play with Kirk Cousins for a long time — he’s a pro’s pro, did everything the right way — and [Drake] will say ‘What would Kirk think of this? What were his preparations like with this?’ So any way I can help him, that’s why I’m here. Because I think everyone knows he has a bright future.”

More:

  • Third-round pick Jared Wilson (Georgia) continues to rotate with the starters at center and left guard, which has been one of the most notable developments on the depth chart. “I think he’s a quick learner. He’s been able to learn two positions inside, as far as center and guard,” coach Mike Vrabel said.

  • Projected starting CB Carlton Davis III, who opened camp on the non-football injury list, was on the field after not taking part in Thursday’s practice. Vrabel said it was “maintenance and continuing to kind of give him what he needs as part of the plan.”

  • Those who were not at practice: WR Mack Hollins (PUP), TE Austin Hooper (PUP), OT Vederian Lowe (PUP), S Josh Minkins (non-football injury list), WR Ja’Lynn Polk (muscle-related injury after passing his initial physical).

  • This was the hottest practice of camp to date, with temperatures in the 90s.

  • Bradbury, OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (on his 26th birthday), S Kyle Dugger, LB Christian Elliss, CB Marcus Jones, DL Keion White came to the media interview area after practice.

Thursday, July 24

“You can never go broke taking a profit.”

That was the theme of the second practice of Patriots training camp for QB Drake Maye, who finished 14 of 15 but hardly pushed the ball down the field. There were a lot of short throws, which was by design.

“Just be good on first down, positive play, don’t go backwards,” running back Rhamondre Stevenson explained of the offense’s goal.

Two of Maye’s completions came to WR Stefon Diggs — on the second and third plays — as they continue to develop a connection.

Maye totaled 10 interceptions in 13 games last season (only 10 in which he went wire to wire), and part of potentially lowering that number is not forcing a big play when a safer, closer-to-the-line-of-scrimmage option is available to him.

He touched on this earlier this year when he said: “I’ve got to do my part of taking what’s open — taking the first thing; sometimes when you tend to wait for the big one, holding the ball, it’s not [always] open.”

More:

  • WR Ja’Lynn Polk, the 2024 second-round pick who is fighting for a roster spot, didn’t practice for the second day in a row. A source said he passed his initial physical but experienced some minor muscle tightness, so the plan is to be cautious.

  • Projected starting CB Carlton Davis III didn’t practice (it could be related to easing him back in after opening camp on the non-football injury list), which thrust third-year player Alex Austin into the starting lineup.

  • In the first full-team FG work of camp, rookie Andy Borregales was 3 of 4 (missing wide left from 50ish yards) while former practice squad player John Parker Romo was 4 of 4. The kicks came from an estimated distance of 30 to 50 yards.

  • Slot receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas had the catch of the day, elevating along the left sideline to snare a delivery from No. 2 QB Joshua Dobbs.

  • Rookie WR Kyle Williams, who impressed on Day 1 with a catch against second-team All-Pro CB Christian Gonzalez, was quieter on Day 2 and dropped one short pass.

  • Third-round draft pick Jared Wilson again rotated in with the top unit — at center and left guard. He was involved in one mishandled center/QB exchange with Maye.

  • DT Christian Barmore (returning from a recurrence of blood clots that limited him to four games in 2024) was not a full participant as part of a designed plan. Free-agent signing Khyiris Tonga and third-year player Jeremiah Pharms Jr. were the next two players filling his void alongside Milton Williams.

  • Marcus Jones, Douglas, Williams and Efton Chism III worked as punt returners.

Wednesday, July 23

On quarterback Drake Maye’s first play in full-team drills, he hit WR Stefon Diggs on a short crossing route over the middle, which sparked an audible cheer from the 5,000-plus fans in attendance on the first day of training camp.

Maye compared it to the first catch in a game that usually ignites a reaction from the home crowd. The two also connected on the first play of a different full-team drill.

“It’s awesome being able to throw to a guy like that,” Maye said. “And even when you feel like he’s not open, he’s going to go make a play for you in tight coverage.”

For his part, Diggs said the process of earning Maye’s trust is critical. The two spent time together, along with other teammates, in North Carolina before training camp.

“He’s a young quarterback. I believe in him. I think he’s going to have a lot of success in this league,” Diggs said.

More:

  • Rookie WR Kyle Williams (third round, Washington State) had a catch along the left sideline, with second-team All-Pro CB Christian Gonzalez in coverage. That earned praise from Maye.

  • WR Ja’Lynn Polk, the 2024 second-round pick from the University of Washington, didn’t practice despite having passed his physical. That created opportunities for others, such as Williams.

  • Rookie Jared Wilson (third round, Georgia) mixed into the first-unit on the offensive line at center at times.

  • The initial top offensive line: LT Will Campbell, LG Cole Strange, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Morgan Moses. Always tough to assess protection without full pads, but the defense did seem to come through multiple times.

  • Restricted free-agent LB Christian Elliss earned the top reps next to signal-caller Robert Spillane at one of the top open competitions on the roster (with Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu among others in the mix).

  • With veteran TE Austin Hooper on the PUP list, former practice-squad player Jack Westover was given the initial chance to take his reps alongside No. 1 option Hunter Henry.

  • Maye, Diggs, Spillane, DT Milton Williams, WR DeMario “Pop” Douglas and RB Antonio Gibson were selected to speak with reporters after practice.

Tuesday, July 22

On the day most Patriots veterans reported for training camp, the tone set by first-year head coach Mike Vrabel was the hot topic of conversation. Times are changing in Foxborough.

“Coach Vrabel brings a different vibe from the years previous that I’ve been here,” All-Pro special teamer Brenden Schooler said. “You’re not scared, but you know he’s not messing around. If you’re not on your Ps and Qs, and doing exactly what you’re asked to do how you’re supposed to do it, I don’t think guys are going to be sticking around long… There’s also the excitement and energy he brings.”

  • Schooler, TE Hunter Henry and CB Christian Gonzalez were the players selected to answer questions from reporters.

  • Vrabel on players being in shape on Day 1: “Based on the conditioning test and everybody at the weights where we asked them to be, I thought we met expectations in that regard.”


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