EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The preseason, finally, mercifully and thankfully, is over.
The Patriots punctuated their summer with a primetime battle against the Giants, a mini appetizer for their rematch to come on Monday Night Football in December. That game, of course, will look much different than Thursday’s did.
Coming off five days of rest, the Pats fielded just two starters. Undrafted rookie Ben Wooldridge started at quarterback. The stands at MetLife Stadium looked like they were picked clean from the opening kickoff.
So, let’s skip Thursday night and zoom out.
Here are five thoughts on the Patriots’ preseason as a whole, with an eye toward their season opener on Sept. 7.
All hands on deck to protect Maye
After Drake Maye’s final preseason appearance last weekend in Minnesota, Mike Vrabel had a message for his quarterback.
Stop risking your health.
“We talked to him about not taking a senseless hit outside the pocket on second-and-10,” Vrabel said post-game. “If there’s nobody there, throw it away, and we’ll try to convert on third down. Just being smart and understanding those little details.”
Those little details ultimately might be the difference between Maye starting 17 games and missing enough kickoffs the Patriots fall out of the playoff race. Because the waves of pressure he saw this preseason will continue to lap upon Maye’s shores all year. How Maye navigates that pressure – with the help of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels – will be a front-and-center storyline all year.
If the Patriots start Jared Wilson at left guard, they will have two rookies protecting Maye’s blind side. Their center, Garrett Bradbury, has thus far lived up to his reputation as one of the NFL’s least effective pass-protectors at his position. And at right tackle, 34-year-old Morgan Moses is, well, 34.
For Maye to stay upright, the Patriots must major in movement throws, misdirection, a quick passing game and run-first mentality; schemes that can all offset a leaky offensive line. It’s unfortunate McDaniels can’t yet build the entire offense around rare physical talent. But as the old (and terrible) cliche goes, the best ability is availability.
Pass rush will surprise
Confession time.
Back in March, I doubted Harold Landry’s free-agent addition. This summer, I was worried about the Patriots’ lack of a proven No. 3 defensive tackle, given Christian Barmore’s recent health history and the fact Mike Vrabel’s defensive line will rotate heavily to stay fresh. And now and forever, I do not expect anything from Keion White, one of the most talented and enigmatic players on the roster.
But count me excited, for the first time in years, at how the Patriots should rush the passer in 2025.
K’Lavon Chaisson earned his promotion at the end of training camp, when he replaced White. Khyris Tonga, a journeyman defensive tackle, thrived as a pass-rusher in team periods, individual drills and joint practices. Landry’s first step remains one of the quickest in the league, and we haven’t yet arrived at the $104 million man, Milton Williams.
If Vrabel’s coaching history in Tennessee is any indicator, the Patriots won’t blitz much in 2025. And if their summer was any indicator of the defense to come, they won’t have to.
Trade prediction
Call it a gut feeling.
The Patriots will swing at least one trade before the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline on Tuesday. Veteran defenders Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings have both been available for a while, according to sources. Both players were raised in exploratory talks with other teams, and Jennings would be easier to move than Dugger, considering the latter’s contract.
Jennings’ skill set as a run-stopper first and pass-rusher second won’t appeal to all teams, but there should be enough of a market to involve him in a late-round pick-swap trade. If not Jennings, the Patriots could also make deals to add a third tight end/fullback, perhaps a reserve linebacker or interior linemen. Quality offensive linemen are scarce across the league, but their current options aren’t exactly inspiring.
What about Bourne?
The curious case of Kendrick Bourne and the trade block continues.
Bourne has been considered a potential trade candidate in three of the last four seasons, yet still calls Foxboro home. The bet here is that doesn’t change any time soon.
The Patriots can place Bourne on injured reserve Tuesday without losing him for the season. On cutdown day, every team gets two IR spots for players who are designated to return sometime in the regular season, while all others placed on injured reserve (such as Ja’Lynn Polk) are out for the year.
Even if the Patriots keep six other receivers – Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III – Bourne can remain on the shelf and offer insurance against injury after Week 4. Not to mention Chism projects as a slot receiver, a position Douglas will occupy until further notice. Stashing a talented prospect like him is a wise decision for a front office that should be taking a long view with its rebuild, not to mention Douglas’ history of concussions (two in 2023) and contract coming up next season.
Making Chism a healthy scratch every week is by no means a loss, if he continues to develop and the Patriots have another receiver – Bourne – who can step in instead; provided he’s healthy and doesn’t get traded midseason upon returning to health.
Extra points
Why did the Patriots never cross-train Caedan Wallace, a top-100 pick last year with plenty of right tackle experience and enough talent to play multiple spots? The new coaching staff clearly saw him as a guard, but never moved him off left guard while the rest of the interior offensive linemen were forced to play multiple spots.
Little-known receiver Jeremiah Webb, who scored a touchdown in Thursday’s preseason finale, has been a better wide receiver than Javon Baker for most of this summer. I don’t expect Baker to make the team
I think Parker Romo won the kicking job with sixth-round rookie Andy Borregales missing a 49-yarder in Thursday’s first half.
Hardest positions to predict for the 53-man roster: interior offensive line, edge defender and safety.
Andrew Callahan covers the Patriots for the Boston Herald.
