New England Patriots training camp is just around the corner.
The Patriots will host their first practice on Wednesday, July 24. From the quarterback competition to Jerod Mayo’s first camp as head coach, there will be no shortage of storylines. With that in mind, let’s explore five burning questions facing the Patriots as camp approaches.
5 Burning Questions Ahead of Patriots Training Camp
Can Drake Maye Beat Out Jacoby Brissett?
This will be the top storyline of training camp, and there won’t be a close second.
Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has franchise quarterback talent. However, many evaluators believe he would benefit from a red-shirt rookie season as his footwork and decision-making both need a ton of work. And both of those flaws were on display during spring practices.
But Maye improved steadily throughout the spring and, by the end of minicamp, was the clear second quarterback on the depth chart. He’ll be given every opportunity to win the starting job during camp, and he’s talented enough to win it.
Still, Jacoby Brissett is the more experienced and responsible quarterback and likely would be the best option to start the season. Furthermore, with just one scheduled joint practice (against the Philadelphia Eagles), Maye’s opportunities to truly wow his teammates and coaches might be difficult to find.
Remember, it was joint practice performances against the New York Giants that propelled Mac Jones ahead of Cam Newton in 2021.
Who’s Playing Left Tackle?
Right now, the favorite is Chukwuma Okorafor. The veteran impressed during the spring, albeit without pads.
Okorafor played the last four seasons at right tackle and spent half of 2023 on the bench. So, we’ll believe he’s a starting left tackle when we see it.
The Patriots’ next best options are Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe, both of whom are backup swing tackles, and rookie Caedan Wallace, who is probably a right tackle.
This thing is a house of cards. New England might be fine at the other four spots, but the offensive line could fall apart if the LT play is disastrous. A pre- or mid-camp trade for a tackle might make sense.
Will Matthew Judon Get a New Contract?
You can click here to read all the latest details on this storyline, which gets juicier by the day.
Here are the cliff notes: Matthew Judon is not guaranteed any money in 2024 and will hit free agency next spring. Judon reportedly wants a new deal, and at least one rumor indicates he won’t play under his current contract (Judon denied the report). The Patriots reportedly have offered him a new contract, but the two sides “are not currently close.”
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How this story ends remains to be seen. Judon is one of the Patriots’ best players and one of the NFL‘s top sack artists, but he’ll turn 32 in August and is coming off a biceps tear. Plus, New England is deep on the edge with young, affordable talent. Judon arguably is expendable, as weird as that sounds.
Could this end with a trade? You can’t rule it out.
Will There Be Any Notable Cuts?
The top candidates to be cut are JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Bailey Zappe, Chad Ryland, and Austin Hooper.
Cutting Smith-Schuster would result in a $9.6 million dead cap hit, but the Patriots might not have another choice. He looked washed last season and didn’t look much better during the spring.
Thornton, a second-round pick in 2022, is entering a make-or-break camp. The speedy receiver is talented enough to earn a roster spot, but he’s been nothing but an injury-prone disappointment since entering the NFL.
Zappe likely will battle with rookie Joe Milton III for the third spot on the QB depth chart. Although Milton has more upside, Zappe has more starting experience, which the Patriots might prioritize. Regardless, Zappe doesn’t have a meaningful future in New England, so a release wouldn’t surprise anyone.
Hooper currently projects as the No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, but the veteran didn’t show much during the spring. He’ll make just $1.2 million in 2024, with a preseason release resulting in a $2.4 million dead cap hit.
As for Ryland, the Patriots surely want the 2023 fourth-round pick to beat out Joey Slye for the starting kicker job. But Ryland struggled mightily as a rookie and isn’t guaranteed a roster spot.
What Kind of Operation Will Jerod Mayo Run?
The first-year head coach was tough to get a read on during spring practices. Mayo was loose and candid during media availabilities, but once practices started, he occasionally looked unsure of how to best apply his expertise.
He, well, looked like a first-time NFL head coach.
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But the breaking-in period is over. Mayo must enter training camp with a clear plan on how to lead the Patriots into their post-Bill Belichick era. New England could surprise some people this season, but it needs Mayo to be on top of his game and prove why he’s the right man for the job.
We’ll be at every Patriots training camp practice, and focusing on Mayo will be a top priority.
