FoxBorough Mike Vrabel got into a brawl during his first padded practice as a rookie.
As training camp entered its fifth day, the new Patriotshead coach didn’t want anyone to follow that lead. This offseason, Vrabel’s team practiced in pads and with contact for the first time on Monday.
According to Vrabel, we want to be able to practice in the same physical and regulation-abiding manner that we must play. Be a terrific player, finish before the whistle blows, and so forth. The team will lose if you throw a punch because you will be removed from the game. I thus don’t expect any of that.
No one got into a fight during Monday’s 90-minute session, despite a few tense moments. For the first time this offseason, the Patriots conducted physical and competitive one-on-one drills.
The Patriots were in the red zone during the most of the full-team exercises, which were run-focused. TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, and Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots’ running backs, all had successful games and scored touchdowns.
Drake Although Maye didn’t throw many passes, he was effective when he did. On the day, the starting quarterback for the Patriots went five for six. He made connections with Gibson, Hunter Henry, Stevenson, Ja Lynn Polk, and Stefon Diggs. Maye’s final two passes were 6-yard scores to Gibson and Polk.
All things considered, the Patriots players welcomed the return to pads.
Linebacker Jack Gibbens stated, “Everything we have done so far, those are valuable reps.” When you wear pads, the game changes. Everything is different, including how you cover guys, the pass rush, and the run fits. You must wear pads to play this game. These days, they undoubtedly signify more.
The following are the main lessons learned from an eventful practice:
One of the Patriots’ top players left with an injury during the first padded practice of the 2025 offseason.
Following what looked to be a left leg injury, Christian Gonzalez left Monday’s Patriots practice. The event took place during the team’s 11-on-11 period’s opening pass play.
On the snap, Gonzalez was covering Stefon Diggs. The Patriots All-Pro cornerback jumped up and grabbed the back of the veteran receiver’s left knee as soon as he caught a pass from Drake Maye. Gonzalez staggered to the bench and called for the Patriots’ training staff at that point.
For a moment, Gonzalez lay on the ground as the trainers examined his leg. The former first-round pick stood up and left the field with a noticeable limp. Gonzalez was led by Patriots head trainer Jim Whalen to the team’s trainer shed at the rear of the practice grounds.
Gonzalez left practice after that and never came back.
The Patriots continued to play without their top two outside cornerbacks, as Carlton Davis was again absent from practice. Marcus Jones and Alex Austin moved up the depth chart externally as a result. At the time, Marcellus Dial was the best slot cornerback on the defense.
Will Campbell’s “Welcome to the NFL” moment was swiftly created by the first day of pads.
Veteran defensive end Keion White pushed the first-round choice to the ground during Campbell’s first one-on-one practice. Nor was it the only occasion. During a subsequent one-on-one exercise, White again put Campbell on the ground.
Not everything went wrong for the fourth overall choice.
Campbell held his own against the Patriots starting defensive line during the 11-on-11 play. During several downhill runs, the left tackle knocked the guy in front of him out of the play, showcasing his strength and quickness.
On Monday, the Patriots also conducted their first one-on-one drills between cornerbacks and receivers. The Patriots’ defensive backs won the majority of these passes, which were in the red zone.
The Patriots’ cornerbacks won seven games, while their receivers won five.
However, Kayshon Boutte prevailed in both of his meetings with Gonzalez, accounting for five of the victories. The third-year receiver put up a strong performance.
I think one-on-ones are beneficial. I think it’s fantastic because it sort of demonstrates your ability to get open and collect the ball, Boutte remarked. I’m not really the shifty kind since I feel like a bigger person; I just need to get open quickly and collect the ball.
In this exercise, Boutte had the finest day of any Patriots receiver. Stefon Diggs defeated Marcus Jones 1-2. Gonzalez defeated him, and Jones then knocked a pass out of his hands. Kyle Williams lost to Jones and defeated Marcellus Dial to go 1-1. Dial defeated Kendrick Bourne, who defeated Myles Battle. DeMario Douglas fell to Jones and Dial in both reps.
This offseason, Boutte has been a pillar of the Patriots’ premier offensive unit. He performed admirably against the team’s best cornerback on Monday.
Iron sharpens iron every day, so my focus is on getting better every day, working towards the best plays and getting sharp every day, Boutte said.
Ja Lynn Polk returned to practice on Monday and had a strong finish after missing the first week because of a reported soft tissue injury.
During his impressive training camp last year, the Patriots second-round pick excelled in red zone drills. Polk was consistent and made a good play almost every day of training camp.
It was unexpected that the then-rookie didn’t have a stellar first NFL season because of this. In 15 games, the 23-year-old caught 12 passes for 87 yards and two scores. It was also disappointing that Polk, who was a limited participant this offseason, missed the team s first four days of camp.
On Monday, however, Polk was back in the Patriots lineup. Although most of his reps came on the field with backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, the receiver made the most out of his limited reps with Maye.
In the final 11-on-11 period, the Patriots ran plays from the 6-yard line. On Maye s final snap, Polk beat Marcellus Dial in the end zone to haul in a touchdown pass from the Patriots quarterback.
Considering the Patriots added Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams this season, Polk will need to have a strong summer to make the team and make an impact in New England.
Monday was a good example of Polk making the most of his opportunities.
DeMario Douglas looks different this offseason. As it turns out, he also feels different.
Entering his third NFL season, the Patriots slot receiver took it upon himself to lead more in the classroom and on the field. Douglas has taken a more vocal role on the Patriots and said that s helped him on the field.
I ve been growing in the classroom, helping others out, I feel like it s what I needed for part of my game, Douglas said. As I teach somebody else, I m learning myself. I feel like when I m out there and I see something somebody else does, I can coach it up. And I feel like I got in that playbook a lot.
It s been evident this summer. After Monday s practice, Douglas leads all Patriots players with nine receptions through five days of camp. The slot receiver has been Maye s top target along with Stefon Diggs.
For example, during last week s walkthrough, the focus was on third down. Although the plays were not competitive, it felt noteworthy that Maye targeted Diggs (four times) and Douglas (three times) more than anyone else on the field.
Then on Saturday, Douglas had his best day of camp with multiple highlight-reel receptions. That included three contested catches, with one being a 60-yard touchdown where he split Christian Gonzalez and Kyle Dugger in coverage.
I m feeling good, Douglas said. Just doing what I do. I m having fun out there.
Polk wasn t the only player to return to practice. Undrafted free agent Josh Minkins came off the non-football injury list and was back at practice on Monday.
The Patriots were without linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who left Saturday s practice with an unknown injury. Tavai suffered a calf injury in minicamp, but was healthy enough to start training camp with the team.
Davis was also absent and has missed three of the Patriots five days of camp.
Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper, and Vederian Lowe are still on the physically unable to perform list.
