The New England Patriots return to Foxboro this week to kick off training camp. The first week back usually looks closer to minicamp than preseason, (think shorts and shells), but that doesn’t mean it’s without stakes. Here are five things to watch as we get closer to football season:
How consistent does Drake Maye look?
This one is a bit of a, “no duh,” but Drake Maye’s performance is the single most important storyline of the summer. His accuracy wasn’t a full-on rollercoaster through OTAs and minicamp…but there were days he was a bit of a Tilt-A-Whirl. Expect growing pains as he adjusts to Josh McDaniels’ new offense and play-calling, as well as a few new hands in the receivers’ room.
“It's all the same concepts in the league, but it's different words, different verbiage,” he said, back in June. “It's mostly the same guys, running, but just feeling out how they run it and timing when you get into different concepts.”
Practice stats never tell the whole story. Does the sophomore quarterback look in command at the line of scrimmage, pre-snap? Are his throws on-time? Will he try to do too much, too early? He’ll be under a microscope early-on.
How healthy is Stefon Diggs?
Both freshly-inked Patriots receivers Mack Hollins and Stefon Diggs have worked at rehabbing injuries this summer, but Hollins will start camp on the PUP list. All eyes will be on Diggs and how well he’s moving after an ACL tear prematurely ended his season with the Houston Texans last fall. Diggs’ participation level impressed during his one appearance in OTAs and through minicamp. When he wasn’t flying through drills, (and beating the younger guys), he was hands-on and chatting with his fellow receivers on the sidelines. If he continues at the pace he showed in early June, he could very well be on the field to start the season.
Does Christian Barmore look like it’s 2023 again?
It’s okay if Christian Barmore has slipped from the forefront of fans’ minds during the flurry of signings on defense this spring, but during minicamp, the 25-year-old sounded intent on reminding everyone how he earned a 4-year, $83 million contract before blood clots derailed his 2024 season.
“Every day, when I’m on this field, it’s just to prove that I’m still me, and I’m always going to be me,” he said after one June practice.
Barmore had 8 ½ sacks through 17 games in 2023, as well as 16 quarterback hits. He looked in-shape during the spring, and it will be fascinating to watch how Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams utilize his 310-pound frame to exert pressure alongside new addition Milton Williams.
How much has the offensive line improved?
Credit New England for shaking up the offensive line that was swiss cheese last season, but outlets like Pro Football Focus still rank the Patriots’ big boys towards the bottom of the league. The questions surrounding this position group are…multiple. Who will play left guard? Cole Strange? Can Will Campbell hold his own as a rookie left tackle with notoriously diminutive arms? Is Morgan Moses healthy and ready to lead this rag-tag group of men? There may be less to glean from this group before they put on pads, but they’re a big key to the offense’s success this year – or lack thereof.
Is Terrell Williams on the sideline?
Patriots’ defensive coordinator Terrell Williams worked remotely through the spring following what he called a “medical scare.” Assistant Zak Kuhr picked up some of Williams’ duties on the ground. Vrabel told media he was “doing well” during minicamp in June, but no one from the Patriots has disclosed any other details about the situation. Williams’ health has to be his priority, but New England’s defense will certainly benefit from his return to the field.
Jones and Keefe broadcast live overlooking the practice fields at Gillette starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. The Home of Patriots Monday and Friday has training camp covered on the WEEI Network and WEEI.com.