FOXBORO, Mass. — Monday was an eventful day for the New England Patriots. And, honestly, we’re not sure where to start.
The first padded practice of training camp began with an ominous update on Christian Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots over the weekend. Over the next two hours, Matthew Judon appeared to hold out due to a contract dispute, Drew Rosenhaus chatted with Patriots front-office staffers, and Drake Maye struggled behind a bad offensive line.
Let’s get into everything that stood out during Day 5 of Patriots training camp.
Highlights from Jerod Mayo’s Press Conference
Here are some of the key quotes from head coach Jerod Mayo’s press conference:
On Barmore’s diagnosis: “I just want to thank the medical professionals in-house and also Mass General as far as the care for Barmore. Obviously, it’s an unfortunate thing, but for me, it’s not even about football. When you talk about things like that, it’s about the man. He’s getting tremendous care, and I’m anticipating him coming back.”
On a timetable for Barmore’s return: “No timetable. I think all these situations are different, and I’m not a specialist in that world, so I don’t want to put a diagnosis or a timetable to come back. When he’s ready to go, we’ll be here waiting for him.”
Jerod Mayo begins today's media availability with an update on Christian Barmore pic.twitter.com/GbkxLGDsFb
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) July 29, 2024
On Kendrick Bourne’s ACL recovery: “Bourne is doing everything he can to get back on the field. When that is, I don’t know. When he’s ready to go, we’ll put him out there.”
On the new kickoff rule: “Definitely a lot going into that unit behind the scenes. I would also say the NFL is still nailing down how they want to officiate that play, so we have to be flexible. It’s a very fluid situation, and any time a new memo comes out, we’re going to try something new, so we’ll see where we land.”
On sophomore guard Sidy Sow: “Sidy’s done a tremendous job hanging around here in the offseason, working out, and putting everything he has into the playbook. He did a great job in the spring, and hopefully it continues today in full pads.”
On rookie receiver Javon Baker, who punctuated a great play on Sunday by throwing the ball into the air: “He’s definitely a good player. I would say he has a lot to learn. Even that long pass yesterday, no one tagged him down. He threw the ball up in the air. Just reminding guys that this isn’t college. This is the NFL. You’re not being tagged down. That right there is a fumble. Those are the things that they’ll learn through training camp and hopefully [he] doesn’t do it during the season.”
The Latest Contract Drama
With Barmore potentially facing an extended absence, it was fair to wonder whether there would be any developments on the contract disputes involving Matthew Judon and Davon Godchaux. Well, we got news on both fronts.
Let’s start with Judon, who recently held a wildly honest news conference on his desire for a new contract.
Judon, who was a full participant in the first four non-padded practices, sat alone in street clothes for the start of Monday’s session. After a brief conversation with Mayo, who covered his mouth with a clipboard, Judon left the field and went back to the locker room.
He returned soon afterward, still in street clothes, and went straight to executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh. After leading an animated discussion, Judon left the field and didn’t return.
It was a bizarre situation, one that likely wouldn’t have happened if Bill Belichick were still in charge.
Jerod Mayo appears to exchange some words with Matthew Judon who is not participating in practice today. Judon seen exiting the field after their conversation 👀 pic.twitter.com/BJvP64tnpS
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) July 29, 2024
As for Godchaux, there are reasons to believe a new deal could be on the horizon.
Not only did he participate in practice, but he did so with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, watching from the family and friends viewing area. Early in practice, Rosenhaus was seen speaking with Groh and Robyn Glaser, another prominent member of the front office. Finally, after practice, Mayo spoke with Godchaux and Rosenhaus before leaving the field.
We saw similar Rosenhaus visits while Belichick was the head coach, and they typically coincided with contract announcements. We’ll have to wait and see whether Godchaux’s calls for a new deal are rewarded.
Patriots Practice Observations for Monday, July 29
Attire
Full pads.
Attendance
The following players were absent from practice:
- LB Sione Takitaki (PUP)
- OL Jake Andrews (PUP)
- OL Cole Strange (PUP)
- WR Kendrick Bourne (PUP)
- DT Christian Barmore
- S/LB Marte Mapu
- EDGE Matthew Judon
- C David Andrews
Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots on Sunday, missed all of practice. It’s unclear whether he’ll return at any point this season.
David Andrews missed his first practice of camp. It’s unclear whether he’s dealing with an injury.
Bourne, who’s rehabbing a torn ACL suffered last October, didn’t show up after participating in the stretching period on Sunday. He’s making progress, though.
Mapu was in street clothes for the third consecutive practice. His injury situation remains unclear.
Jake Andrews is dealing with an undisclosed injury, likely the same one that kept him out of minicamp. We haven’t seen him down on the rehab field, and it might be fair to wonder whether he’s dealing with a long-term injury.
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Strange continues to rehab from a torn patellar tendon suffered late last season. He might sit out half the 2024 season, if not the entire campaign.
Takitaki is still recovering from an offseason knee scope, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The veteran linebacker previously said he wouldn’t miss a single day of camp, but he now has missed the first four practices.
Here are additional injury notes:
- Receiver DeMario Douglas remained sidelined during team drills due to a hand injury. He downplayed the severity of the injury while speaking with reporters after Sunday’s practice.
- Jabrill Peppers left practice early with a noticeable limp and didn’t return.
- Rookie tight end Jaheim Bell appeared to be limited.
Patriots’ QB Training Camp Battle | Day 5
Jacoby Brissett
11-on-11s: 8-for-9, two sacks
7-on-7s: 4-for-6
This was arguably Brissett’s best day of camp. He had deep completions to Javon Baker and Tyquan Thornton and showed better command of the offense than any of his understudies. When the protection was there, Brissett was able to run the offense efficiently.
Through five practices, he’s the clear No. 1 quarterback.
Drake Maye
11-on-11s: 1-for-5, two sacks
7-on-7s: 2-for-6, one interception
Sunday saw Maye submit his worst practice as a pro. He was arguably even worse on Monday.
The No. 3 overall pick wasn’t helped by spotty pass protection and at least one drop. But he also slipped on an incompletion, struggled with accuracy, and threw an interception to Kyle Dugger in 7-on-7s. In his first 11-on-11 period, Maye had three handoffs and a sack.
It was Maye’s first NFL practice in pads, so we’ll cut him some slack. But he wasn’t good on Monday.
Joe Milton III
11-on-11s: 4-for-5
7-on-7s: zero reps
Milton would’ve been 5-for-5 if not for a drop by Baker. He wasn’t asked to do much, but he played well in his limited opportunities. Milton and Bailey Zappe rotated as the No. 3 QB in 11-on-11s, so it’s hard to say whether either has an edge in this competition.
Bailey Zappe
11-on-11s: 3-for-4
7-on-7s: zero reps
Zappe was let down by tight end La’Michael Pettway, who had a drop. Regardless, it was another unremarkable day for a player whose days in Foxboro seem numbered.
Best and Worst Performances From Day 5 of Patriots Training Camp
QB Jacoby Brissett | STUD
Brissett wasn’t spectacular or anything, but he was by far the best quarterback on the field. The offense just looks more coherent with him under center, and he rarely makes poor decisions. This QB competition would be interesting if Maye were matching Brissett’s level of play, but so far, it hasn’t been close.
OT Caedan Wallace | STUD
This was the first practice that made you believe Wallace might have a shot at being the Patriots’ left tackle.
The rookie was excellent in 1-on-1s, going 3-0 with wins against Anfernee Jennings and John Morgan. Wallace also played well during team drills, with his only struggles coming later in practice. Wallace was the top left tackle in the last three practices, and he’s making the most of his opportunities. Let’s see if he can repeat it on Tuesday.
RB Kevin Harris | STUD
This is as much about Harris’ performance throughout camp as it is about the job he did on Monday.
The third-year running back is competing for the top backup job, and he’s currently the favorite to win the gig. Harris has delivered long runs in each practice, a trend that continued Monday. He also looks faster than he did in either of his first two seasons, but just as strong and physical.
Is Harris the Patriots’ next great back to come out of nowhere? Probably not, but he could be a solid depth piece.
QB Drake Maye | DUD
If Maye is going to win the starting QB job, he needs to start stacking good practices. Right now, he’s doing the opposite.
Maye shows flashes of his immense talent. But he also rushes throws, is spotty with his accuracy, and makes too many pre-snap penalties. There’s no reason for Patriots fans to panic, as Maye is enduring typical rookie struggles. Nevertheless, it’s getting harder and harder to envision him as the Week 1 starter.
TE Mitchell Wilcox | DUD
It was a rough showing for Wilcox, who had two drops and ran a soft route on the play that resulted in Dugger’s interception. Wilcox is competing with Bell, Pettway, and Jacob Warren for the No. 3 tight end job, and he didn’t help his cause with Monday’s performance.
LB Matthew Judon | DUD
Obviously, this isn’t about Judon’s performance. And it isn’t really about his not participating due to a contract issue, as that kind of stuff happens in the NFL.
Rather, this is about Judon seemingly acting out and being a distraction. It didn’t benefit anyone for him to watch practice in street clothes, and his animated interaction with Wolf and Groh wasn’t a good look for anyone involved. It also put unnecessary stress on his head coach, who will surely face questions about how things were different under Belichick.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
If Judon wants to sit out until he’s paid, that’s fine. But what happened Monday was just bizarre and marred what should’ve been a great day of football.
Assorted Patriots’ Notes and Highlights From Day 5 of Camp
- Josh Uche left practice after a brief scuffle with Chuks Okorafor during team periods. It’s unclear whether he was injured or punished for throwing a punch.
- The stands were roughly half full. The weather wasn’t great, but you would’ve thought there’d be more juice for the first padded practice of camp.
- The Patriots repped the new kickoff rule for the first time.
- Mayo sent offensive players for a lap after multiple pre-snap penalties.
- Baker had another big play, this time catching a 30-yard pass from Brissett in 11-on-11s. He followed it up with a drop on a pass from Milton, though.
Bake brings it down 👀@JBrissett12 | @Javondbaker1 pic.twitter.com/O33I7TSmSu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 29, 2024
- The running game was effective throughout practice, with Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Antonio Gibson all delivering long runs.
- Brissett connected with Thornton on a deep throw with Marco Wilson in coverage. It was a standout play for Thornton.
- These were the top offensive line combinations, from left to right:
First group: Caedan Wallace, Sidy Sow, Nick Leverett, Mike Onwenu, Chuks Okorafor
Second group: Calvin Anderson, Michael Jordan, Nick Leverett, Atonio Mafi/Layden Robinson, Vederian Lowe - The Patriots now have run the same two line combinations for three straight practices, except for Leverett filling in for Andrews on Monday.
- Rookie guard Layden Robinson had the best rep of linemen 1-on-1s when he overwhelmed Deatrich Wise. Leverett also looked good.
- Rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk had another good practice. Rinse, repeat.
- Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley spoke to the full team at the end of practice.
- Here are additional highlights from Monday’s practice. The Patriots will return to the field Tuesday morning.
Drake Maye in Slow-Motion for the Timeline
–#patriots #nfl #pats
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/StjoKnslug— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) July 29, 2024
Drake Maye throwing touchdowns with Joe Milton dancing behind him
–#patriots #nfl #pats
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/ZnQyQ3IZCY— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) July 29, 2024
"[Drake Maye] has got a lot on his plate, living up to that 3rd-round pick."
K.J. Osborn talks working with Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye pic.twitter.com/7pb2fE6NyQ
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) July 29, 2024
A quick look at the scene here in Foxborough during indy period @newftbj @AdamKurkjian pic.twitter.com/Ph4br7IcBN
— Kevin J. Stone (@kstone06) July 29, 2024