FOXBORO, Mass. — Just like that, New England Patriots training camp is over.
New England held its final camp practice on Monday. The Patriots will take Tuesday off and practice Wednesday through Friday, but they’ll be transitioning to game-week simulation as they prepare for their preseason finale against the Washington Commanders and regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Let’s look at which players stood out for good or bad reasons during Monday’s practice.
Best Players on Day 17 of Patriots Training Camp
All 4 Quarterbacks | STUD
Here are the stats for Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III, and Bailey Zappe.
Brissett
11-on-11s: 3 for 3, two sacks
7-on-7s: 2 for 3, one drop
Maye
11-on-11s: 4 for 7, two sacks
7-on-7s: 3 for 3
Milton
11-on-11s: 2 for 2
7-on-7s: 2 for 3, one drop
Zappe
11-on-11s: 1 for 2, one sack, one drop
7-on-7s: zero reps
This was a good day for the offense, and all four quarterbacks played well. Brissett had the best practice, but Maye, Milton, and Zappe also made the most of their opportunities.
It’s hard to leave anyone off this list when the quarterbacks combined to go 17 for 23, and three of the incompletions were drops.
It’s important to note this was a light practice without many competitive periods. Some 11-on-11 periods looked like glorified walkthroughs, and there wasn’t any real tackling.
Nevertheless, Brissett looked more confident and decisive than in recent practices. He also saw all the reps with the first-team offensive line, including during an extended scout-team period. That’s a clear indication there isn’t a real quarterback competition — regardless of what head coach Jerod Mayo says.
Brissett also delivered the play of the day: a 40-yard bomb to Tyquan Thornton to kickstart a one-minute drive that ended with a 36-yard Joey Slye field goal.
After practice, Brissett said, “I still treat myself as if I’m the starter.” So, he made a statement both with his play and his words.
As for Maye, he played well again, with two of his three incompletions coming on a failed Hail Mary attempt and a miscommunication with La’Michael Pettway. Otherwise, the rookie continued his recent trend of playing more confidently and being more decisive than he was early in training camp.
Maye’s best throw was a 20-yard back-shoulder dart to Kayshon Boutte. However, unlike Brissett, Maye failed to score points during his one-minute drive.
WR Tyquan Thornton | STUD
Thornton made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch on a 40-yard rainbow from Brissett. It was one of the best plays of camp for a player who, at this point, appears to be in line to earn a roster spot.
Thornton hasn’t been a star or anything, but he’s been consistently productive and, most importantly, healthy.
OT Vederian Lowe | STUD
The much-maligned offensive tackle went 2-0 during linemen 1-on-1s with wins against Jotham Russell and William Bradley-King. I might be on an island with this take, but I believe Vederian Lowe played well down the stretch last season and has been solid in training camp. He’s currently New England’s best option at right tackle.
Players Who Struggled on Day 17 of Patriots Training Camp
WR Javon Baker | DUD
Another day, another drop for Javon Baker, who continues to slide down the depth chart. He remains one of the more explosive players on the roster, but Baker won’t see any playing time this season if he continues struggling with drops.
TE Jaheim Bell | DUD
A day after delivering his best practice of camp, Jaheim Bell committed a bad drop on a pass from Milton during 7-on-7s. It was his only bad play of the practice, but it was enough to land him in this section.
K Joey Slye | DUD
Kicking competition update: Joey Slye went 3 for 5 with misses from 45 and 52 yards; Chad Ryland went 3 for 4 with a miss from 40 yards.
Slye had created distance from Ryland, but his performance on Monday might’ve opened the door for the latter to stay in the competition.
Overall, Slye is 36 for 44 this summer, while Ryland is 35 for 43. The Patriots can’t feel great about either option.