FOXBORO, Mass. — Day 1 of the New England Patriots‘ minicamp is in the books.
The Patriots were originally scheduled to conduct three mandatory practices this week, but head coach Jerod Mayo announced that Tuesday’s session would be canceled in favor of team bonding activities. New England will hold its final minicamp practice Wednesday morning, hours before Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony.
Let’s get into everything we saw Monday afternoon, including the latest on New England’s quarterback competition.
Patriots Minicamp Practice Report — Monday, June 10
Jerod Mayo Press Conference
On perfect attendance from healthy players: “Feel great. I mean, it’s mandatory, but I feel good about it. I will say, we’ve had good attendance really throughout the entire spring, for the most part.”
On Brady’s ceremony: “Honestly, I just want to go and be a fan, but they have me doing something. I’m a huge Tom Brady fan, just on and off the field, and I would also say I’m excited to see all the guys that come in to support Tom. Look, he was a great teammate, a great leader of men, and he deserves it. He deserves to be recognized.”
On Drake Maye repping as the No. 2 QB: “The depth charts, there really are no depth charts. I mean, we can say the first group, the second group — we’re trying to mix and match offensively and defensively just to see what combinations work. And honestly, still trying to see where your depth is. … That’s part of the whole process.”
Jerod Mayo announces the Patriots won't practice Tomorrow, and instead will do "something special." They'll still practice today and Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/F7oCgCseMz
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
On signing David Andrews to a one-year extension: “It was important for us to reward the guys that we want here. The guys that encompass the Patriot way. The guys that come to work each and every day with a good attitude, looking to get better. He’s one of those guys. He’s a leader on this team, and it was important for us to keep him around.”
On possibly extending Rhamondre Stevenson: “We’ll see. I will say this about Rhamondre: I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, it’s no doubt about it. I think over the last few years, it’s been kind of tough on him, as far as getting started. So, I’m excited to see what he does this season. And look, he’s earned everything that he gets. He is our starting running back and, hopefully, we do get something done.”
MORE: Rhamondre Stevenson Says He’s “Pretty Close” To Signing Extension
Attire
Helmets and shells. Pads aren’t permitted until training camp.
Attendance
The following players were absent from practice:
- LB Sione Takitaki
- LB Jahlani Tavai
- EDGE Josh Uche
- OL Jake Andrews
- OL Cole Strange
- WR Kendrick Bourne
Rookie receiver Javon Baker split time between working on the lower practice field and joining his teammates for positional drills. He had a sleeve on his right leg, was clearly limited, and didn’t participate in any live team drills.
Defensive back Kaleb Ford-Dement and rookie corner Marcellas Dial also were limited.
Javon Baker is sporting a sleeve on his right leg and appears to be limited. pic.twitter.com/6ETfxUqLIP
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
QB Report
Jacoby Brissett:
11-on-11s: 8-for-15, one sack
7-on-7s: 6-for-10
Brissett once again was the clear No. 1 quarterback. There’s nothing flashy to his game, but Brissett brings a level of calm professionalism to the Patriots’ offense that we haven’t seen in a while. He, like all of the quarterbacks, struggled to move the ball against New England’s dominant defense.
Drake Maye:
11-on-11s: 12-for-17, two sacks
7-on-7s: 6-for-7
It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best Maye has looked in practices open to reporters. He made multiple high-level throws that showed why the Patriots drafted him third overall.
That said, Maye also had multiple overthrows and struggled against pressure. He’s excelled in 7-on-7s but scuffled when the lines get involved.
KEEP READING: Pats Coaches Detail Where Drake Maye, Joe Milton Must Improve
Most notably, Maye again repped ahead of Bailey Zappe. He’s firmly entrenched as the No. 2 quarterback.
Bailey Zappe:
11-on-11s: 1-for-4, one interception, one sack
7-on-7s: 5-for-7
He threw a pick-six to Kyle Dugger on the first snap of a two-minute drill and nearly was picked off by Brenden Schooler later in practice. Zappe was an afterthought the last two practices, and it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll still be on the roster in late July.
Joe Milton III:
11-on-11s: 3-for-5
7-on-7s: zero reps
We got the full Milton experience. He threw a couple of lasers, completely missed on other throws, and threw one errant pass that might’ve dented an advertisement board. Milton, who dances a lot during practice, is a blast to watch — for better or worse.
But does he have a future in New England? You could make cases for and against him earning a roster spot. Regardless, he’s not close to competing with Brissett or Maye.
Up close look at Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, and Joe Milton (@PFN365) pic.twitter.com/HST4NErFec
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
Three Studs, Three Duds
STUDS
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
He gets better every time we watch him. Polk is smooth, sure-handed, and taller in person than you might expect. He plays like Jakobi Meyers but with more athleticism and upside. The rookie second-rounder caught a pair of TDs on Monday and already is showing strong chemistry with Brissett and Maye.
QB Drake Maye
Again, it wasn’t perfect, but Maye played well, especially during a red-zone 7-on-7 period when he had a 3-for-3 performance with three TDs. He has all the tools you want in a franchise quarterback but still has a long way to go.
WR Jalen Reagor
Reagor, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte are battling for the final receiver roster spot that might not even exist, depending on whether the Patriots want five or six wideouts on the depth chat. Nevertheless, Reagor arguably has been the best of the bunch, and he made a handful of plays on Monday. Most importantly, he didn’t drop the ball.
DUDS
WR Tyquan Thornton
The third-year pro dropped the first pass of 11-on-11s and was mostly invisible afterward, aside from a TD during red-zone drills. Thornton flashes every once in a while, but he’s too inconsistent and looks overmatched at times.
TE Austin Hooper
The veteran tight end hasn’t been awful during open practices, but he hasn’t stood out, either. That continued Monday when Hooper and Brissett failed to connect on consecutive passes during team drills. So far, the tight end depth behind Hunter Henry has left much to be desired.
K Chad Ryland
The second-year kicker hit two of four field goals with misses from 37 and 47 yards and a make from 48 yards. Ryland’s competition, veteran Joey Slye, had a 4-for-4 day. The Patriots will give Ryland every opportunity to win this job, but he needs to start figuring things out.
Assorted Notes and Highlights
- Julian Edelman, Vince Wilfork, and James White were among the former Patriots on hand for practice. All likely will attend Brady’s ceremony Wednesday night.
- Robert Kraft also watched practice and spent time speaking with Edelman.
Julian Edelman on hand for Patriots practice pic.twitter.com/RQw7g8H4jN
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
- The Patriots had referees at practice. Mayo said he didn’t want them to be shy about throwing flags — and they weren’t.
Refs on hand for today's Patriots practice. Jerod Mayo said he doesn't want them to be shy about throwing flags pic.twitter.com/UeHfi4AUHc
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
- Offensive lineman Michael Jordan appeared to get kicked out of practice after getting into a brief dustup with defensive lineman Trysten Hill.
- Mike Onwenu played right guard multiple times, occasionally with rookie Caedan Wallace at right tackle. The Patriots have said they view Wallace as a left tackle, but he didn’t see a single left tackle rep in the last two practices. Chuks Okorafor, Sidy Sow, and David Andrews were the top left tackle, left guard, and center, respectively.
- Atonio Mafi, who played left guard as a rookie, saw more snaps at center and continued to struggle. He needs to show well in training camp or he could be a surprise-cut candidate.
- DeMario Douglas made a great diving catch for a TD during the first 11-on-11 period. He’s the Patriots’ most explosive offensive weapon.
- Second-year hybrid defender Marte Mapu saw snaps at safety and outside linebacker.
- Alex Austin continued lining up as the No. 2 outside cornerback opposite Christian Gonzalez.
- Matthew Judon was a full participant after skipping voluntary OTAs.
- Stevenson said he and the Patriots are “close” on a contract extension.
Here are additional highlights from Monday’s practice:
Drake Maye takes the field for Day 1 of minicamp pic.twitter.com/TU3vC4BIiC
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
First time we've seen Matthew Judon on the field since he tore his biceps in Dallas pic.twitter.com/ANe3FcJ2PB
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
Close look at Patriots receivers pic.twitter.com/IIHh3GCuuZ
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) June 10, 2024
- The Patriots will be back on the practice field Wednesday morning. After that, they’ll break until training camp begins in late July.
- The Brady ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. It will stream exclusively on the Patriots’ official website.